Coal Mining: A Conscious Look

Movies like "Coal Miner's Daughter" and even "Zoolander" have coal mining scenes that show the true grit of the vocation. Hollywood, by no means, is glamorizing the tough and dirty work. Top news stories and breaking news often show us just how tough coal mining actually is. Still, we flip on our lights without a second thought as to where that energy might be coming from. The blood, sweat, and tears of miners and their families almost never enter our minds as we sit down to dine beneath the warm glow of designer chandeliers. Perhaps a conscious look at where that light comes from is needed from our fellow energy reliant Americans.

If you live in coal country, you most definitely receive coal powered energy. Unless you've installed solar panels on your roof, that is. Those majestic Appalachians are coal-rich and coal mining companies salivate at the sight of them, knowing how much of the energy source lies beneath those mountain tops. Think folks in Kentucky sit around and drink whiskey all day? Well, perhaps for some, but a few only indulge at the end of a long day spent in a dark mine. And that sip is much deserved. Coal mining is dangerous, damp and extremely hard on a miner's body. "Black Lung" is no joke and many miners are eventually afflicted with this, or any number of other health problems. Still, domestic energy producers burn the valuable and abundant resource like there's no tomorrow. Not only do we burn the stuff here on our soil, but it is burned internationally as well. And the exportation of coal is big business for investors.

The electricity derived from coal is an integral part of our daily lives. Yet, knowing that coal mining is harmful to the health of its workers, and the environment, still doesn't stop the demand from consumers of this valuable energy source. Coal companies have their business down pat. They know Americans are energy reliant and so they position themselves to meet that demand day in and day out. Railroads are built in their honor so that the transportation of coal is quick and efficient. It is important to know where our energy comes from. In fact, coal generates more than half of the electricity used in the United States and we won't run out of coal for a very, very long time.