Mountaintop Removal and Job Creation: Exploring the Relationship Using Spatial Regression

Abstract

This project focused on a new and increasingly contested method of coal extraction, mountaintop removal (MTR), and its effects on central Appalachian residents' quality of life vis-à-vis increased employment. Attention is given to central Appalachia because its fossil fuel landscapes have undergone major changes as a result of two interrelated forces: (1) a national push for energy independence that led to the region's all-time high production of coal (supplying over half of the nation's coal); and (2) changes in mining technology that allowed for increased production. Such transitions have led to widespread use of MTR mining, a method that entails removal of extensive land area to expose coal seams. Although policymakers are aware of the negative environmental effects of MTR, its continued use is primarily rationalized using the argument that it contributes to local economies, especially job retention and development. MTR proponents argue that, without MTR, other regions and countries more competitively extract coal. Opponents counter that MTR fails to substantially contribute to employment due to efficiencies in mechanization. This study used socio-spatial analysis to understand MTR's impact on employment in southern West Virginia populated places. We integrated coal mining permit boundaries with employment indicators obtained from the U.S. Census. Contrary to pro-MTR arguments, we found no supporting evidence suggesting MTR contributed positively to nearby communities' employment. Implications for economic development are discussed.Este proyecto concentró su interés en un nuevo y cada vez más debatido método de extracción de carbón, la remoción de la cubierta montañosa (MTR, sigla en inglés), y sus efectos en la calidad de vida de los habitantes de los Apalaches centrales frente a un incremento del empleo. Se le dio atención a la parte central de los Apalaches porque sus paisajes de combustibles fósiles han experimentado cambios importantes como resultado de dos fuerzas interrelacionadas: (1) una presión nacional en pro de la independencia energética que llevó a la más alta producción de carbón de todos los tiempos en la región (suministrando más de la mitad del carbón de la nación); y (2) cambios en la tecnología minera que permitieron el aumento de la producción. Estas transiciones han conducido al amplio uso de la minería MTR, método que significa la remoción de vastas extensiones de tierra para exponer las vetas de carbón. Aunque los hacedores de políticas saben de los efectos ambientales negativos del MTR, continuar con su aplicación se racionaliza primariamente con el argumento de que así se contribuye a fortalecer las economías locales, especialmente en conservación del empleo y desarrollo. Los proponentes del MTR arguyen que sin el MTR, otras regiones y países extraen carbón más competitivamente. Los oponentes al método replican que el MTR falla en contribuir sustancialmente al empleo debido a las eficiencias en mecanización. Este 807 estudio utilizó el análisis socio-espacial para evaluar el impacto d...

Natural Resource Curse and Poverty in Appalachian America

“…Hendryx (2011) Environmental damage may negatively impact tourism, leading to greater poverty for affected workers and reducing the possibility of long-term amenity-led growth. MTM is especially capital-intensive, requiring fewer workers than traditional coal mining (Woods and Gordon 2011). Alternatively, MTM operations (and coal mining in general) may decrease poverty by providing jobs to lower middle-class workers or workers on the precipice of poverty.…”

“…More recently, the process of mountain top mining (MTM) has expanded coal mining's environmental footprint in the region, possibly increasing health risks and further reducing the chances for long-term amenity-led growth that can alleviate poverty (Deller 2010;Woods and Gordon 2011).…”

Poverty, Place, and Coal Employment across Appalachia and the United States in a New Economic Era

“…But does coal mining even lead to any sustained improvement in jobs and income? Weighing in on the debate, Woods and Gordon () found no evidence that mountaintop extraction creates local jobs. We extend this debate by analyzing the influence of coal mining employment on three indicators: poverty, household income, and unemployment.…”

“…Capital‐intensive production and layoffs are structural features of the industry that contribute to reducing mining jobs. Over the long term, local businesses in other sectors may be crowded out as larger coal companies compete for local labor and as industries such as tourism are discouraged by environmental damages and air and water pollution (Woods and Gordon ). These processes from coal‐related path‐dependent development may continue to influence Appalachia.…”

The Root of Sustainability: Investigating the relationship between medicinal plant conservation and surface mining in Appalachia

“…While West Virginia is rural, the economy has been based primarily on industry (Lewis, 1993); as such, while its economic contribution is waning , surface mining is still an economic force in the Appalachian region, especially in West Virginia (BBER & CBER, 2010). However, despite the belief that surface mining provides numerous jobs for the region, a previous study found that there was no relationship between employment and proximity to mountaintop removal mines, a form of surface mining (Woods & Gordon, 2011). The conversion of deciduous forest to a post-mining landscape, ranging from grassland to an unusual early successional forest consisting of invasive native or exotic trees and shrubs, has long-lasting implications for the productivity and biodiversity of the ecosystem, as well as the cultural heritage of this region.…”