The Coal Industry Initiates the Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Science. Should We Be Wary?

The coal industry has instituted the Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES), an organization involving multiple universities and whose stated goal is to “address the environmental impacts of the discovery, development, production and use of energy resources in Appalachia.” If the tobacco industry, cell phone manufacturers, the makers of lead paint, and the industries that find global warming to be an inconvenient truth for their bottom line provide us with any past experience to draw on, science and getting to the truth about environmental impacts may not be a top priority with this new endeavor.

            ARIES is headquartered at Virginia Tech, where Michael Karmis directs the Center for Coal and Energy.  When ARIES was launched a year ago Kamis said that, “the coal industry, at least in the USA, is under major attack” by the government, the press, and NGOs. Supporting his assertion, he cited “unreasonable regulations” based on “questionable science,” “false assertions,” and self-serving interests.”  He called EPA water quality standards for surface mining “arbitrary” and not enforced “in an equitable manner.”

            Does this guy sound impartial when it comes to environmental research?

            On the ARIES website, their Research Bulletin No 1 disputes the use of conductivity, the ability of water to carry an electric charge, as an indicator of water quality in some Appalachian streams. High conductivity usually indicates that the water has high concentrations of nitrates, sulfates, magnesium, or other substances considered to impair the ability of a stream to support life or to be suitable for drinking. While testing for conductivity will not specify which of the inorganic solids are in the water, measuring conductivity is easily done and inexpensive. It is thus used a lot for water quality monitoring. Their second research bulletin is one designed to cast doubt on the recent scientific studies that found higher incidences of mortality for those who live in proximity to mountaintop mining.

            To keep selling cigarettes, the tobacco companies knew that they didn’t have to show that cigarettes were good for you. All they need do is to cast doubt on what independent research found, that cigarettes can give you high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer. The research bulletins of ARIES don’t show the mountaintop mines improving the environment or the lives of Appalachians. They do, however, work to cast doubt on the prevailing science. That shadow of a doubt may not last forever, but it can give talking points to coal company executives and politicians friendly to King Coal. Attempts to rein in mountaintop mining can be staved off for years and years. And a lot of mountains can be flattened in that amount of time.