Environmental impacts and mitigation

Coal mining causes adverse environmental impacts. These include:

1. Release of methane, a greenhouse gas
2. Interference with groundwater and water table levels
3. Impact of water use on flows of rivers and consequential impact on other land-uses
4. Dust
5. Subsidence above tunnels, sometimes damaging infrastructure (e.g., roads in the Lake Macquarie area in NSW, Australia).
6. Rendering land unfit for the common usage of the area.

In addition, burning of coal, mainly for power generation, introduces a large amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Strip mining severely alters the landscape, which damages environmental value in the surrounding land.^{[ citation needed]} Mountaintop removal to remove coal is a large negative change to the environment.^{[ citation needed]} While there are sometimes requirements for remediation of the strip mined area, the remediation is often delayed for decades.^{[ citation needed]} One of the legacies of coal mining is the low coal content waste forming boney piles.

In response to negative land effects of coal mining and the abundance of abandoned mines in the USA, the federal government enacted the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA), which requires reclamation plans for future coal mining sites. Reclamation plans must be approved and permitted by federal or state authorities before mining begins. As of 2003, over 2 million acres (8000 km²) of previously mined lands have been reclaimed in the United States.

Coal mining can cause a water pollution called Acid mine drainage (AMD); a metal-rich water formed from the chemical reaction between water and rocks containing sulfur-bearing minerals. While AMD usually forms in areas where coal mining has taken place, metal-rich drainage can also occur in mineralized areas that have not been mined. AMD happens when the pyrite reacts with air and water to form sulfuric acid and dissolves iron. This acid run-off dissolves heavy metals such as copper, lead and mercury into ground and surface water. Through effective mine management methods AMD can be minimized. Also a good mine design can keep water away from acid generating materials and help prevent AMD from occurring. There are two ways to get rid of AMD. One way is to install a water treatment plant. First the AMD is dosed with lime to neutralize the acid and then it is passed through a settling tank to remove the sediment and particulate metals. The second way is to develop a self-operating system that can treat the effluent without constant human intervention ^[1].

All forms of mining are likely to generate areas where coal is stacked and where the coal has significant sulfur content, such coal heaps generate highly acidic, metal-laden drainage when exposed to rainfall. These liquors can cause severe environmental damage to receiving water-courses ^[2]. Coal mining releases approximately twenty toxic release chemicals, of which 85% is said to be managed on site.^{[ citation needed]} In modern mining, operations must, under federal and state law, meet standards for protecting surface and ground waters from contamination, including acid mine drainage (AMD). To mitigate these problems, water is continuously monitored at coal mines. The five principal technologies used to control water flow at mine sites are: diversion systems, containment ponds, groundwater pumping systems, subsurface drainage systems, and subsurface barriers. In the case of AMD, contaminated water is generally pumped to a treatment facility that neutralizes the contaminants. Still, AMD remains a large problem, emanating from coal mines abandoned in the United States prior to SMCRA.

Coal mining produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Methane is the naturally occurring product which arises out of the decay of organic matter as coal deposits are formed with increasing depths of burial, rising temperatures, and rising pressures over geological time. A portion of the methane produced is adsorbed by the coal and then later released from the coal seam and surrounding disturbed strata during the mining process ^[3]. Methane accounts for 9% of greenhouse gas emissions created through human activity ^[4]. According to the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change, methane has a global warming potential which is 21 times greater than that of carbon dioxide on a 100 year time line. While burning of coal in power plants is most harmful to air quality, due to the emission of dangerous gases, the process of mining can release pockets of hazardous gases. These gases may pose a threat to coal miners as well as a source of air pollution. This is due to the relaxation of pressure and fracturing of the strata during mining activity, which gives rise to serious safety concerns for the coal miners if not managed properly. The buildup of pressure in the strata can lead to explosions during or after the mining process if prevention methods, such as "methane draining", are not taken. ^[5]

National Energy Information Center, Greenhouse Gases, Climate Change, Energy, retrieved 2007-10-16

The Department of Trade and Industry, The Coal Authority, retrieved 2007-10-16

xxxxxxx

Funding for FedEx

The original funding for FedEx came from an investment from Fredrick W. Smith's father, 4 million dollars to be exact. Venture capitalists gave him 80 million dollars to help him purchase his first Dassault Falcon planes, . Smith's grandfather was a steamboat captain and his father built a bus system that lead to the southern Greyhound Bus system. ^[6] This gave Smith a seeming history and influence to do something with travel and business. His initial idea was rejected by his college professors but the venture capitalists who backed him with the large sum of money had more faith in him. Smith's company didn't always go as well as planned, however. Postal companies held a monopoly which prevented FedEx from delivering packages and airline regulations restricted the size of the planes which they could fly. Smith was so desperate in 1973 that he flew to Las Vegas and won 27,000 at a blackjack table and wired it back to his company.

There is some speculation that Smith has Cato, an organization that is supposed to "strongly opposes the use of governmental power in oppressing its citizens," in his back pocket. Apparently an installment of a large FedEx in GreenBoro at the Piedmont Triad Airport is exactly the opposite of what Cato would tolerate. ^[7]

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_38/b3900031_mz072.htm http://www.rd.com/content/the-inspiration-behind-federal-express/1/;jsessionid=D909C2A748401BC07BBB0E66A4DD1E7D.app1_rd1 http://www.boycottfedex.com/cato.html

xxxx

Funding for Tom Tancredo

Individual contributions make up the most of the campaign cash that Tancredo has received thus far, being about 97% of his total pocketbox. PAC contributions have been low, only around $75,500, of the $1,311,869. ^[8] Perhaps because of some of his more radical opinions and campaigns promises. All of the PAC contributions thus far have come from single-issue or idealogical supporters who mainly backed him on one issue. He has granted himself 200 dollars for his campaign and has received no federal funding. $88,457 of his money comes from interest from the campaign's bank accounts and loans from outside sources. It should be noted that the majority of Tancredo's funds are not disclosed. ^[9]

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008-presidential-candidates/finance/2007/q1/tom-tancredo/ http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?id=N00006103&cycle=2008

xxxxx

Funding for Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney seems to have found a loophole in raising funds for his political campaigns. Since he doesn't hold a federal office, the rules for campaign funding only applied to him after he set up a presidential exploratory committee in early January of 2007. Since 2004, Romney collected at least 100,000 dollars from each of his private backers.His team proceeded to take advantage of the little known federal and state law by setting up fund raising committees in Michigan, Iowa and Alabama. These states do not put limits on political donations like most. His political action committees raised 7 million dollars during this time. All of this allowed for Romney to hit the ground by taking care of basic campaign logistics such as hiring and office space.When he announced his campaign, he acquired 6.5 million dollars more through a fund-raiser to add to the money he had already gained. This money was also used to gain grass-root allies and build a broad financial backer network. ^[10] 71% of Romney's funds are made up through individual contributions, and 28% comes from his own funds. His PAC contributions are about even between business with 45%, and ideological/single issue which is at 55%. ^[11]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117012493655191952.html http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/summary.asp?id=N00000286&cycle=2008

xxxxxxx

Man Tech Corporation

Mantech International Corporation was co founded in 1968 by George J. Pedersen ^[12]. The company’s main purpose is to deliver upcoming information technology and technical services solutions to federal government customers. ManTech has grown to become one of the U.S. government’s leading providers of innovative technologies and solutions for national security programs supporting the Intelligence Community and departments of Defense, State, Homeland Security and Justice; the Space Community; and other government agencies. They specialize in software development, enterprise security architecture, information assurance, intelligence operations support, network and critical infrastructure protection, information technology, communications integration and engineering support. Mantech has supported the telecommunications use in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The corporation’s base is located in Fairfax Virginia ^[13]. ManTech has approximately 5,600 employees with operations in 40 countries. Revenues have increased from $431 million in 2001 to $1.137 billion in 2006 ^[14].

Notable Contracts

Mantech corporation received a contract to support the US army in southwest Asia, Iraq and Afghanistan, as lead subcontractor to the VSE corporation. Some of the services ordered under the contract include: employed sustainment management; deployed logistics and repairs management; unique system training and curriculum support; and resource management, acquisition and administrative support for unique and specialized systems. The company’s specialization in communications and technology equipment is helpful to the ground and air soldiers of the US. Mantech’s workers are often placed inside the units of troops which they support. ^[15].

Mantech corporation received a contract in the Q4 2006 to support mine-clearing and other systems for the U.S. Army in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Mantech will provide services as ordered under the task including deployed sustainment management; deploy logistics and repairs management; unique system training and curriculum support; and resource management and acquisition. These services will be provided in southwest Asia, mainly Iraq and Afghanistan. ^[16]

Important People

Executive Team

   * George J. Pedersen, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and Co-founder of ManTech International Corporation; Chairman of the Executive Committee of GSE Systems, Inc.
   * Robert A. Coleman, President and Chief Operating Officer
   * Kevin M. Phillips, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Vice President
   * Kurt J. Snapper, Senior Corporate Vice President, Chief Technology Officer
   * Eugene C. Renzi, Executive Vice President and President of ManTech Telecommunications and Information Systems Corporation (MTISC)
   * Gary A. Dorland, President of ManTech Security and Mission Assurance (SMA)
   * Jay W. Kelley, President ManTech Space Systems
   * Joseph R. Fox, President of ManTech Information Systems and Technology (IS&T).
   * Kenneth J. Farquhar, President of ManTech Systems Engineering Corporation (MSEC)
   * Jo-An (Jaye) Free, Corporate Vice President, Secretary of the Corporation and Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Board, CEO and President of ManTech International 

Board of Directors

   * George J. Pedersen
   * Robert A. Coleman
   * Richard L. Armitage
   * Mary K. Bush
   * Barry G. Campbell
   * Walter R. Fatzinger, Jr.
   * Admiral David E. Jeremiah, USN Ret.
   * Richard J. Kerr
   * Lt. Gen. Kenneth A. Minihan, USAF Ret.
   * Stephen W. Porter
   * Paul G. Stern 

References

ManTech International Corporation, Board of Directors, retrieved 2007-10-23

ManTech International Corporation, About Us, retrieved 2007-10-23

Katzman, Joe, ManTech Receives up to $300M to Support US forces in Iraq & Afghanistan, retrieved 2007-10-23

Katzman, Joe, Mantech Wins up to $156M to Support Counter-Mine Equipment et. al. within CENTCOM, retrieved 2007-10-23