The Basics « Alaskans For Energy Freedom [AEF]

The Basics

Demand on Alaska’s Coal

Alaska possesses roughly half the nation’s coal – or nearly 1/8th of world reserves. As a result, there is growing interest in developing Alaska’s coal resources for export to overseas markets. But at every stage – from mining, transportation, combustion, and disposal – coal development threatens human health, clean air and water in Alaska. There are better ways to generate power and develop Alaska’s resources.

Alaska’s Economy At Risk

Alaska boasts the last great wild salmon fisheries in the world. And they are sustainably managed for long-term economic gain and as an important resource for all of Alaska’s citizens. Much of Alaska’s coal lies beneath pristine watersheds, like the Chuitna River, that support these very wild salmon fisheries. These healthy watersheds are critically important to commercial, sport and subsistence fishing and hunting. Such watersheds are the backbone of businesses that contribute hundreds of millions of dollars annually to Alaska’s economy. Unearthing Alaskan coal for short-term profit would devastate fragile ecosystems and threaten existing, sustainable and lucrative businesses.

Alaska’s Communities At Risk

The impacts of coal mining on the communities and watersheds around them are well-documented: property values are devastated; human health is impacted from coal dust; and watersheds are contaminated from run-off. West Virginia is the center of the nation’s coal mining industry but remains one of the two poorest state’s in the nation. As pressure to develop Alaska’s coal resources for export overseas grows, Alaska’s communities will be left with the impacts. Usibelli’s proposed Wishbone Hill open pit coal mine would operate with constant blasting within one mile of more than a hundred families!

Burning Coal Overseas Poisons Alaska’s Fisheries

Most of Alaska’s current and proposed coal developments are slated for export to Asian markets in China, Korea, Japan, and India. The emissions from coal combustion are a significant source of harmful CO2, mercury and other heavy metals – heavy metals that are poisoning some Alaska fish. In 2007, Alaska issued its fish consumption advisories in select Alaska fish due to mercury contamination. Mercury contamination in Alaska’s fish can be traced to emissions from coal combustion plants overseas countries like China. Projects like the Chuitna coal mine or Usibelli’s Wishbone Hill coal mine would contribute to mercury in Alaska fish, harming Alaskans who consume more fish than the national average.