Current News: Coal Slurry injection in West Virginia

A current topic in the news is the injection of Coal Slurry into abandoned underground mines in West Virginia.  Currently, there are 15 active locations and a potential of 65 additional inactive locations utilized before the current permitting process was implemented.  A new bill has been introduced to West Virginia legislatures about this specific topic. 

Members of the West Virginia Senate introduced Bill 568 on March 12, 2009.  Senate Bill 568 proposes prohibiting any approval of new permits or permit modifications for underground injection of coal slurry until scientific studies determine the underground injection of coal slurry is not harmful to the environment or human health.  According to the introduced text of the bill, the studies are required by Committee Substitute for Senate Concurrent Resolution 15, dated March 9, 2007.

 

In my most recent blog, I spoke of regulation of injection wells and a different application, carbon sequestration.  The concept of injection wells and injecting slurry into abandoned underground mines is very similar.  Professionals utilize tools such as geologic modeling and groundwater studies to ensure that the location and amount of deposition is appropriate and adequately contained.  An integral part of the site selection is based on impenetrable “cap” rock layers.  These layers provide boundaries and buffers between storage areas and zones holding groundwater.  Geologically speaking, these are the same layers which have been necessary in the formation, accumulation, and storage of the natural gas fields of West Virginia.  In reference to utilizing underground abandoned mines for storage of coal slurry, similar to the impenetrable zones being necessary for the formation of natural gas, specific conditions are necessary for the formation and hence the presence of coal beds in West Virginia.  It is these same voids left when the coal is removed that have been utilized in storing of a byproduct of processing this coal.

With all of this said, the Earth is a dynamic environment.  A dynamic environment by definition constantly changes and evolves because of multiple influences.   It is imperative that when looking at a scenario of potential cause and effect relationships that all possible scenarios are investigated properly.  

 

Please click on the link below for access to the full text of Senate Bill 568 as introduced.

http://www.legis.state.wv.us/bill_status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb568 intr.htm&yr=2009&sesstype=RS&i=568

 

This article was authored by Rachel Shanteau, Acacia Environmental Group LLC. For more information on the author see here.