Press Statement

RELEASE: Two New Reports Unveil Transformative Potential of Coal Waste Recycling and Rare Earth Minerals in Appalachia: Economic Opportunities and Environmental Solutions

By October 7, 2024January 10th, 2025No Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 7, 2024

Contact: John Neurohr, [email protected], 717-364-6452

APPALACHIA – ReImagine Appalachia released two new reports today: “Turning Liabilities into Opportunities: Coal Ash to Green Concrete and Cement” and “Turning Liabilities Into Opportunities: Acid Mine Drainage and Rare Earth Elements.” The reports come at a crucial time when Appalachia is seeking sustainable economic alternatives while addressing long-standing environmental challenges. The findings in both reports address opportunities in economic development strategies, decarbonizing construction materials and mitigating the enormous and long-standing threats of coal waste to the environment.

For decades, coal ash has posed risks to groundwater, flora, and fauna throughout Appalachia. With the growing demand for sustainable building materials and the push for a circular economy, coal ash recycling presents a unique opportunity for Appalachian communities. Cement and concrete production are carbon-intensive, contributing 8% of global emissions annually. The Federal Department of Energy has targeted the use of materials like coal ash in concrete production as the most significant short-term way to reduce carbon emissions in this rapidly growing sector.  Central Appalachian counties have a deep history in the production of cement and concrete, access to strong markets, and a nearly inexhaustible supply of coal ash – now in short supply as coal ash plants close — to use in “green” products.  

Acid mine drainage is another environmental hazard left behind by the coal industry. Thousands of miles of streams throughout Appalachia run a rusty red with acidic waste, but here, too, there is market potential. The United States lacks supply of rare earth elements, and most techniques for extracting them from the earth are environmentally harsh.  But researchers at the West Virginia University’s Water Research Institute have developed an approach to extracting the valuable metals while cleaning up the toxic, acidic waters. 

“There is a delicate balance between economic opportunity and environmental responsibility. While we recognize the potential for job creation and economic growth, we must prioritize stringent safety measures and environmental protections,” said Wendy Patton, lead author of both reports. “Our policy recommendations aim to create a framework that maximizes economic benefits while ensuring the highest standards of public health and environmental safety are met. This approach is crucial for sustainable development in regions burdened by the legacy of coal production.”

Read both reports here.  

For interviews or inquiries about the report, contact John Neurohr at [email protected]

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ReImagine Appalachia is a coalition of people and groups dedicated to creating a sustainable, prosperous and safe economy and environment in the Appalachian counties of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky.