USGS Assessment: Complex Future for Appalachian Coal Coal provides more than half of our Nation's electrical energy needs. For more than three centuries, coal has been mined in the Appalachian Basin, one of the most important coal-producing regions in the world. This area includes parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, and Tennessee. Almost all of the coal now mined in the Appalachian Basin is used in eastern states to generate electricity. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) studied 12 of the more than 50 producing coal beds in the Appalachian Basin; five key coal beds were digitally assessed in detail. The five assessed coal beds account for about 12 percent of the Nation's total coal production. Total original resources for the five assessed coal beds are estimated at about 93 billion short tons, of which about 66 billion short tons remain. A little more than a billion short tons of coal are mined each year in the United States. The assessment concludes that, at current production rates, sufficient high-quality, thick, bituminous coal resources in these five beds will last throughout the decade. After these and similar coal beds are mined, and assuming current regulations and technology, coal production is expected to decline because much of the remaining coal is thinner, deeper, and higher in ash and sulfur content than the coal that has already been mined. "A greater understanding of coal resources and coal quality allows resource managers to make informed decisions regarding the use of coal as an energy source," said USGS Director Charles Groat. "Resource assessments are an important component in developing environmentally sound ways to extract and use the Nation's coal resources as part of an effective national energy policy." The Appalachian Basin is one of five U.S. regions being studied as part of the USGS National Coal Resource Assessment begun in 1995. The Colorado Plateau and the Northern Rocky Mountains/Great Plains assessments were completed last year. The USGS has worked in partnership with the State geological surveys of Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia to complete this assessment. In addition to evaluating energy production potential, coal resource assessments can be used to aid in the identification of areas with potential for coal-bed methane production, mine flooding, surface subsidence, and acid mine drainage. Copies of the CD-ROM publication of the study (USGS Professional Paper 1625-C, 2000 Resource Assessment of Selected Coal Beds and Zones in the Northern and Central Appalachian Basin Coal Regions) are available by contacting lruppert@usgs.gov. Additional information is available at http://energy.er.usgs.gov/ncra . The USGS serves the nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life.

great topic marcia!

I can't think why I didn't make this one long time ago!!! Thanks Sweetie!

US Report Warns of Arctic Drilling The Associated Press Mar 28 2002 10:24PM WASHINGTON (AP) - Oil development in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge may pose substantial risk to caribou and other wildlife, a government review concludes, contrary to claims made by oil drilling advocates. The assessment, to be released Friday, was developed by scientists at the Interior Department who reviewed 12 years of research on wildlife in the refuge in northeastern Alaska. The Associated Press obtained a copy late Thursday from government sources. The report is likely to play a key role in the upcoming Senate debate over whether oil companies should have access to millions of barrels of crude believed to lie beneath the refuge's 1.5 million-acre coastal plain. While the study makes no recommendation on whether the refuge should be developed, it concludes that the region's wildlife - caribou, musk oxen and migratory birds - are particularly vulnerable to the kinds of disturbances development may bring. The 78-page report was developed by scientists at the U.S. Biological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, both agencies within the Interior Department, and peer-reviewed by outside scientists. Interior Secretary Gale Norton repeatedly has said that the refuge's oil can be extracted without harm to the environment or the region's wildlife, arguing that modern drilling techniques can minimize the intrusion into what environmentalists view as one of the world's most pristine and ecologically significant areas. The report brought a quick response from Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., who is among a group of senators who have vowed to block legislation that would open the refuge to oil drilling. ``Once again the administration has released a report undermining its own case for opening the Arctic (refuge) to oil drilling,'' said Lieberman. He said the report ``confirmed the environmental destruction that would occur.'' The biological assessment concludes that the Porcupine Caribou herd that uses the coastal plain for calving each summer ``may be particularly sensitive to development.'' It gives four reasons for this, including a lack of quality habitat outside the coastal plain and the connection between calf survival and the animals' ability to move freely. http://my.aol.com/news/news_story.psp?type=1&cat=0100&id=0203282224441006

Louisiana Oil Pipeline Ruptures The Associated Press Apr 6 2002 3:59PM LAFITTE, La. (AP) - A pipeline rupture Saturday caused about 90,000 gallons of oil to spill into a coastal area known as Little Lake, Coast Guard officials said. Owner BP Amoco shut down the pipeline as soon as it became aware of the spill. The company then notified Garner Environmental, which dispatched five boats to begin containment and cleanup. The area is rich in marine and coastal wildlife. Calls to BP Amoco at its Texas City, Texas, headquarters were not immediately returned Saturday. Coast Guard officials said BP Amoco sent a plane to assess the damage. It was not immediately clear what caused the rupture or to what extent the spill may have damaged marine or coastal wildlife. Little Lake is mostly surrounded by land but connects to the Gulf of Mexico about 35 miles south of New Orleans. http://my.aol.com/news/news_story.psp?type=1&cat=0100&id=0204061600284338

Undersea oil deposit found in the north Athens, 17/04/2002 (ANA) An undersea oil deposit has been discovered near Prinos, an existing oilfield, which could be exploited, officials said on Tuesday. The officials said that initial chemical analysis showed the newly found oilfield could produce 12,000-15,000 barrels a day for 15 years. The deposit, located between Nea Perama and Aghion Oros, has a depth of about 3,120 meters, they added.

where are those places? the north pole?

oh wait, north as in northern greece? *grin*

yup North as in Greece. I think there are lots of nations prowling around the North Pole trying to sneak whatever they can find.

CYPRUS - Fuel for the fire The discovery of undersea oil reserves between Cyprus and Turkey boosts Turkey�s territorial claims to the island, according to a statement by Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash made public in the Turkish-Cypriot daily Kipris on Saturday. Ongoing negotiations to reunify Cyprus should be refocused to take into account the new �development,� the newspaper said. Denktash informed reporters of the alleged existence of the reserves on Friday. http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100012_22/07/2002_19019

I'm really sorry, Marcia, but it is difficult for me to remain objective in relation to the Cyprus problem. This is largely because my maternal grandfather was a Greek Cypriot; hence, I tend to have a jaundiced view of "North Cyprus". This really doesn't have to do with oil reserves, but it does pertain to the reunification of Cyprus. It's a page of links concerning the "Cyprus Problem". http://www.cosmosnet.net/azias/cyprus/problem.html

Thanks, Cheryl. I also have difficulty remaining objective. There are too many precious people of Greek heritage in my life not to worry. What really concerns me is that they want the US to be the abritrator for this potential mess. Big business and oil money will rule again. Politics is never far from money.

I thought this was appropriate (the name Cyprus) gave us the name for Copper): THE ATHENS 2004 OLYMPICS BRONZE MEDALS-A SYMBOLIC RAW MATERIAL FROM CYPRUS (Cultural, Scientific & General News Category) August 2002: A full-scale reconstructed ancient Greek trading vessel from Cyprus will be used to carry to Greece a load of Cypriot copper that will be used in the making of the Athens 2004 Olympics bronze medals. The 'Kerynia-Eleftheria' as the vessel will be named, is the second modern reconstruction of an ancient trader excavated and partially recovered off the coast of Kerynia before the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The launching ceremony in Cyprus, on November 2002, will be attended by the Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos. The ship will travel to Greece in June 2004. http://greekproducts.com

Researchers harness hydrogen fuel from sugar MADISON, WISC. - Researchers say they have found a way to extract hydrogen fuel from a glucose solution. Glucose comes from plant and animal matter and is currently broken down by bacteria through an inefficient and expensive process on an industrial scale. Chemical engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison hope their process can someday produce hydrogen directly from plant material, which they say would be a faster and more efficient alternative. The researchers heated a sugar solution to 227 C over a platinum-based catalyst to break the glucose down into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Hydrogen can be piped into fuel cells, which manufacturers hope to use as an alternative way to power cars. Ford and Daimler-Chrysler have both produced prototype hydrogen-powered electric vehicles. James Dumesic led the research team. He said the advantage of the process is its simplicity, and how it can be done at fairly mild temperatures with no harmful byproducts. "The process should be greenhouse-gas neutral," said research scientist Randy Cortright in a release. "Carbon dioxide is produced as a byproduct, but the plant biomass grown for hydrogen production will fix and store the carbon dioxide released the previous year." The process produces hydrogen without vapourizing water, which saves energy compared to conventional methods. The process is still at an early stage, and a lot more laboratory work is needed to improve the system, reduce the costs of the catalytic system and to obtain higher hydrogen yields, the researchers said. Source: CBS NEWS John

John, that is exciting news. Now, if only someone could find a way to extract hydrogen fuel from garbage. I think that Marcia, once posted something on biomass in which giant artichokes were used. That was in Portugal, I think.

Hi Cheryl I am thinking that the best and easiest way to produce Hydrogen is to take it from water using solar energy. It is just an idea... I want to try it when I will have time... To learn about Hydrogen Energy CLICK HERE. To learn about Solar Energy CLICK HERE. To learn about Bio-Energy CLICK HERE. John

I understand they are now making plastic out of corn. Considering the huge amount of plastic we use, the switch from fossil fuel is a very wise move. Now, if only they can make it even more bio-degradable. Our landfills are full of styrofoam! Methane fuels the electricty in some communities on the mainland US. We make a lot of it in landfills and it is wasted and ultimately polluting. Generating something useful makes a lot of sense. Hydrogen is even better since it creates no byproducts! How we keep it from exploding I still want to know in better detail. I am disappointed in how little solar collectors are used for generating and storing household power. However, that being said, I have seen huge piles of ancient solar panels littering places that "recycle" the systems. It is not happening. They are just dumping the old stuff in remote places.

corn pens, I had a couple of them!

Really? How do you know, Wolfie? I have only heard about this process!

the AM gave them to me and they were still in their package....it said right on there that they were made out of 100% corn (the pen shaft, not the ink shaft)

I will seek them out, in that case. Recycling should be encouraged!

i may still have them around!

Tell us who makes them. A little advertising for a good cause can't hurt!

Oil is not something one thinks of as part of Greece, but they have it just as the rest of the world does: Greece ranks eighth in EU as oil producer BRUSSELS 04/10/2002 (ANA/M.Spinthourakis) Oil deposits representing 10 million barrels have been located in Greece, the European Union's executive Commission said on Thursday. EU Energy Commissioner Loyola de Palacio was replying to a question submitted by Eurodeputy George Marinos of the main opposition New Democracy (ND) Party. In a statement, ND quoted Loyola as saying that Greece currently ranked eighth in the 15-member bloc with daily output of 5,600 barrels a day. Greece's Prinos deposit covered 1.4 percent of the country's consumption, the statement said. http://www.goGreece.com/news/headlines/story.html?id=8928