May 7, 2017
By Niamh McIntyre
Iceland is harnessing volcanic heat (click here) to produce clean energy in a pioneering new geothermal technology project.
Energy company HS Orka has drilled down three miles into the earth near the country’s famous Blue Lagoon spa in the Reykjanes region.
If successful, the experimental project could produce up to 10 times more energy than a conventional gas or oil well, by generating electricity from the heat stored in volcanic areas.
Iceland has been a pioneer of geothermal energy, and 85 per cent of energy supply in the country is derived from renewable sources.
The small island nation is also the only country in the world with 100 per cent renewable electricity.
However, the new "supercritical" drilling technique is far more efficient than conventional geothermal wells.The number of miners with "Black Lung" is increasing and not decreasing. "My mother cried the day I left the mine. She was relieved and happy I was out."
May 9, 2017
Nick Mullins on Coal Culture (click here)
Nick Mullins (click here) is a former fourth-generation coal miner from Georges Fork, a small valley in the far southwestern tip of Virginia near eastern Kentucky. After leaving the mines at age 30, Nick embraced a new environmental ethos, and has become a voice for the region about the effects of coal culture. The Planet recently caught up with him to talk about his life after coal mining and how he and his family are using their story to educate others and facilitate a dialog about coal in all corners of the country.Nick Mullins talked about his experience as a former coal miner who turned to writing and activism on behalf of miners and Appalachian communities. Topics included his family’s history in coal mining, his blog, "The Thoughtful Coal Miner"; and conflicts between coal mining industry interests and employee and environmental concerns.
The May 9, 2017 “Washington Journal” focused on coal mining, regulation and the health and environmental impact of the coal industry. Guests during the program were interviewed live from Murray Energy’s transloading center at Powhatan Point, Ohio....
The miner to the right in this picture is not wearing a "Scott Pak." (click here) That is negligence of the employees. If the coal mine health insurance companies are refusing to pay for the cost of good health and treatment of occupation related disease and injury, the coal mines will never pay for preventive measures.
