Economics of Mountain Top Coal Removal in Central Appalachia

Appalachia has long been an economically poor region despite being rich in natural resources. Over the last 30 years the region has become a hot bed for controversy regarding new techniques for mining coal, Mountain Top Coal Removal. This type of mining requires the extraction of coal by removing the tops of mountains, pushing the resulting rock and rubble (Overburden) into valleys and streams, called valley fills. This mining process has been controversial because of the environmental damage that is incurred. Research is just now coming out that is finding that this form of mining not only impacts the environment, but also impacts the health of the Appalachian region. Little has been done looking at the economic repercussions of MTR for the Appalachian region. My project seeks to understand MTR in the context of the economic conditions of the coal fields of Central Appalachia. I use data from non-profit Appalachian Voices, the Appalachian Regional Commission and U.S. Department of Energy to map MTR sites and the economic conditions of the counties they are located in