From Deseret News archives:
Coal boom carries high price as accidents rise
Nowhere is this trend clearer than in Utah.
It has seen the fastest rise in coal-mining employment of any major coal-producing state. From 2002 to 2006, the number of miners has jumped from 1,525 to 1,994 a 31 percent increase. A significant number of those workers appear to be Hispanic.
The effort to save the six workers at Crandall Canyon Mine is the latest in several high-profile attempts in the nation's mines in recent years, which underscore the risks of the occupation. Indeed, coal mining is one of the nation's 10 most dangerous industries: Last year, at a time when the overall worker fatality rate fell to a 15-year low, coal-mining fatalities more than doubled, according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report released last week.
That increase was mostly due to the Sago mine accident and three other multiple-fatality incidents in 2006, in which 21 workers died. "The fatality rate for coal mining jumped 84 percent in 2006 to 49.5 fatalities per 100,000 workers, up from 26.8 in 2005," the report states.
In fact, U.S. coal production is projected to increase an average of 1.5 percent per year through 2025, says the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
It comes down to America's growing appetite for electricity. "Basically, we are using more power," says Jason Hayes, communications director for the American Coal Council, a Washington coal-use advocacy group. "We all have our BlackBerrys, computers and other electronic gadgets, so everybody is using more energy. ... One of the cheapest, easiest forms of fuel we have is coal."
Currently, Hayes says, coal provides 52 percent of this country's energy a proportion likely to grow.
Recent comments
The modern coal miner is one of the most unappreciated-- yet...
Monty | Aug. 13, 2007 at 5:09 p.m.
Renewable power sources with the exception of hydro and geothermal...
N. Power | Aug. 13, 2007 at 10:23 a.m.
There woul dbe a ruduced need for coal if we could develope ALL of...
Anonymous | Aug. 13, 2007 at 8:50 a.m.
- Alex Boye: Being the Change 12:20 a.m.
- Today in the Bloggernacle 12:20 a.m.
- 'Priesthood' explores power of faith 12:18 a.m.
- Christmas is best if it's simple 12:18 a.m.
- Former candidate may run again 12:18 a.m.
- Christmas music from Wayne Burton 12:18 a.m.
- Jazz manage a magical win 12:18 a.m.
- 'Before His Manger,' Chapter 51 12:17 a.m.
- Texas birthday bash at shelter 12:16 a.m.
- Christmas at Church History Museum 12:16 a.m.
- Nude bathers cited for lewdness
- Few details on missing W.V. mom
- Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
- Crash landing next to I-15
- Defense witness goes on offensive
- BCS = power conference monopoly
- Palin signs books, chats with fans
- 5 officers lose their certification
- I-15 expansion barreling south
- Y.'s Emery bruised, but rarely beaten
- Letters: Global warming a lie
256 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
206 - BYU football: Bronco weighs in on Hall
193 - Palin signs books, chats with fans
165 - Cougars going back to Vegas
150 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
149 - Andersen apologizes for Jordan hoax
142 - Max Hall wants to look ahead
124 - Nude bathers cited for lewdness
120 - Jazz fall apart late at L.A.
110
Love him or hate him, Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch knows how to get attention.
Well, I did it. I gave in to the seductions of the ridiculously sexy...
Rational human beings know why Palin's background and work ethic is inspiring...
A few things to consider (looking at the Mackey Award website). 5 of 12...
Boy, you're not kidding.
This is so sad. Lets just keep praying for this beautiful woman and Mother....
He'll probably claim the TV as destroyed during the next hurrican and have it...
We love Coach Boylen and hope the yewts keep him around for a long, long,...
In the New Testament it states in several places that disciples of Christ...
I suggest he read her book, just for a start, But the secret is that Palin is...
1. Because Sarah Palin and her husband sat at a dining room table at night...
For some time Mexico has been in financial trouble. It has a lot to do with...


