Underground longwall coal mining blamed for damaging Pennsylvania streams, one beyond repair

Consol Energy's use of longwall mining, an underground coal-extraction method, has permanently damaged six streams in Pennsylvania, according to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, Kristen Lombardi reports for The Center for Public Integrity. "Longwall mines involve hulking steel shearers that slice off entire coal seams hundreds of feet below ground, and leave in their wake caverns up to five feet tall. The consequent shock waves cause severe damage to structures, disrupt wildlife and deplete water resources." (Photo by Steven Sunshine: A damahged stream in western Pennsylvania)

All six of streams suffered loss of flow, Lombardi reports. Consol, which refers to itself on its website as the largest U.S. underground coal producer, has been unsuccessfully trying to repair one stream for five years. In December the DEP sent the company a letter to saying it "has not been restored to conditions that existed prior to undermining," Lombardi reports. They called further remediation attempts futile, and demanded the company compensate "for the loss of Commonwealth resources."

The DEP also sent another notice to Consol about five other streams that had “not recovered from the effects of underground mining,” and “now requires Consol to perform compensatory mitigation or enhancement measures.” Lombardi reports. Consol has appealed the rulings. (Read more)