Here at The Greenists, we write a lot about renewable energy — wind, solar, and other methods that, if used effectively, can allow us to enjoy the comforts to which we’ve become accustomed while also treating our planet a little gentler. Those types of energy are making a surge in popularity right now, but the fact is that coal still supplies a large chunk of our energy. Whether we like it or not, coal is a big part of our lives — it’s still used to produce almost half the energy generated in the United States.

Why is coal so popular? Easy: It’s cheap, it’s effective, and it can be used to create many things. Unfortunately, the way we get coal is not very earth-friendly. The easiest and cheapest way to mine it is to first get a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency, get a bunch of dynamite, and then blow the top off a mountain. It doesn’t take an environmental expert to realize this is not the healthiest thing for our planet or for us; however, according to some experts, the damage may be more widespread than we thought.

According to NPR, several environmental scientists have pointed out that when mountaintops are blasted off, the rock that tumbles down the side of the mountain ends up in the streams. The water percolates through the rocks, dissolving and releasing chemicals into the water — chemicals like sulfates, which alter the chemistry of the water, and selenium, which can harm fish and other aquatic life. Guess where that water ends up? That’s right — in the drinking glasses of the people who live in coal-mining country. Water treatment plants can only eliminate so many toxins.

The EPA has slowed down on granting permits for mountaintop removal, saying it needs time to further investigate these claims. This delay isn’t without its consequences — after all, many people make a living in coal mining, and tensions have been brewing between coal miners and environmentalists for some time.

What’s your take on mountaintop removal? Are the potential dangers reason enough to stop it immediately, or should it be phased out? Is there a better way to get coal? If we get rid of mountaintop mining altogether, what do we do with all the people that will be left jobless? Please share.