title: Drawing A Line On Coal For Mexico
purpose: The purpose of my presentation was to inform my peers of a recent example that demonstrates the dangers of coal mining. Dos Republicas, a Mexican-based coal company wants to blast about 10 square acres of land in the Eagle Pass, Texas, so they can mine for coal cheaply. I wanted to explain the detrimental health and environmental effects of coal mining. Hopefully, my presentation highlighted how important it is for us to pursue alternative energy sources. Dos Republicas is just one example of how a large company, with millions of dollars to spend on lawyers and permits, could be permitted to destroy residents' lives and ruin ecological systems permanently in Eagle Pass. The money and extra coal is not worth the long-term costs.
discussion questions:
1) Do you think that coal mining in Eagle Pass is ok, if the company goes through all the legal obligations?
2) Since the area's residents are very poor, and face a wealthy, powerful coal company, how should their voices be represented?
3) If the coal company does start mining in Eagle Pass, should it provide compensation for the residents? If so, how would they compensate? Money? Habitat restoration?
follow up research:
-An article written by the Texas Tribune on the Eagle Pass Debate: http://www.texastribune.org/texas-environmental-news/environmental-problems-and-policies/border-battle-over-coal-mine-and-its-mexican-owner/
-A website that explains both the incentives of coal mining and it's negative impacts: http://www.visionofearth.org/featured-articles/coal-power-pollution-politics-and-profits/
-Here is a video of the public hearing about the company proposing to develop more coal mines in Eagle Pass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYYWEIFIs7w
-An interview with a resident of Eagle Pass who opposes the coal mine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKsCCWfLkuw&feature=related
picture:
The first picture shows a coal mining site. The natural environment has been completely destroyed, and the same thing would happen in Eagle Pass. The second photo is of a man working in a coal mine. It is a very dangerous, unhealthy and dirty job.
powerpoint:
see me...can't figure out how to upload it
original sources:
-from the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/10/us/in-texas-border-town-drawing-a-line-on-coal-for-mexico.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
-news segment from the Texas Tribune: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCvuFrDcLDU
-health impacts of coal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKpAxfKh8-w&feature=related
-coal ash water contamination: http://earthjustice.org/news/press/2010/new-study-shows-coal-ash-water-contamination-much-worse-than-previous-estimates
-dangers of working in a coal mine: http://www.spike.com/articles/g1dc77/coal-the-potential-hazards-of-working-in-a-coal-mine
