Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research
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Browsing Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research by Author "Karmis, Michael E."
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- ARIES Executive SummaryJong, Edmund C.; Boardman, Gregory D.; Karmis, Michael E. (Virginia Tech. Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research, 2019-07-30)The following document contains an executive summary of key findings from the Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES). Further details for these findings may be found in the referenced peer-reviewed publications and project reports. The ARIES body of work was developed from 2011 to 2016. Thus, published ARIES results will not reflect any evolutions in policy and research that occurred after this timeframe. Although some issues may be different today, the breakthrough research conducted by the ARIES community continues to provide invaluable insights into these areas of interest.
- ARIES Research SummaryJong, Edmund C.; Boardman, Gregory D.; Karmis, Michael E. (Virginia Tech. Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research, 2019-01-03)In the mid-2000s, concerns were raised about the impact of Appalachian coal mining and especially mountaintop mining. These concerns were prompted by various research studies that alleged a direct link between coal mining and various negatively trending aspects of community health. Some studies related coal mining to higher rates of cancer and infant mortality. Other investigations claimed that coal mining perpetuated poverty and harms community character. These alarming reports prompted a significant public outcry that resulted in litigation and regulatory attention toward the coal industry. In response, a number of meetings and strategic sessions were held in 2009 and 2010 to address these concerns. Major Appalachian coal producers, coal associations, and essential coal infrastructure companies participated in these conferences. After rigorous debate, the participants decided to form an independent research program designed to address community concerns through objective, focused research. This program was designated the Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES). ARIES would be a research consortium designed to elicit the participation of major research universities across the U.S. The primary objective of this research collaboration would be to investigate the impacts of coal mining and energy production on Appalachian communities. To support this goal, ARIES adopted a research paradigm that delivered objective, robust, and transparent results though the support of industry. This paradigm was composed of four core principles: 1. Independent research conducted at universities 2. Wide dissemination of results through peer-reviewed publications 3. Realistic timeframes for research and reporting 4. Applying sound scientific principles
- Assessment of the Risks Associated with Thin Film Solar Panel TechnologyReynolds, William T. Jr.; Karmis, Michael E. (Virginia Tech. Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research., 2019-03-08)This report reviews the environmental risk profile of utility-scale cadmium telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic installations with relevant information from the scientific literature and an audit of the manufacturing and recycling facilities of a domestic manufacturer. Current photovoltaic technologies are described, and the environmental and health issues associated with CdTe are identified. Solubility measurements, bioavailability, acute aquatic toxicity, oral and inhalation toxicity, and mutagenicity studies all confirm CdTe has different physical, chemical, and toxicological properties than Cd. The CdTe compound is less leachable and less toxic than elemental Cd. The risks to the environment arising from broken solar panels during adverse events are considered by reviewing experimental results, theoretical worstcase modeling, and observational data from historical events. In each case considered, the potential negative health and safety impacts of utility-scale photovoltaic installations are low. The need for end-of-life management of solar panels is highlighted in the context of recycling to recover valuable and environmentally sensitive materials. Based upon the potential environmental health and safety impacts of CdTe photovoltaic installations across their life cycle, it is concluded they pose little to no risk under normal operating conditions and foreseeable accidents such as fire, breakage, and extreme weather events like tornadoes and hurricanes.
- Coal Mining Outlook: International, National, and Virginia TrendsKarmis, Michael E.; McDowney, Preston; Ripepi, Nino; Schafrik, Steven J.; Weisiger, Sean; Walton, Daniel; Kostic, Dennis (Virginia Tech. Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research., 2000-11)Coal mining serves an important role as the economic catalyst for Southwest Virginia, providing high paying jobs in an area crippled by unemployment. There are numerous support industries in existence only because of coal mining. The ripple effects of mining are experienced throughout the state. Every ton of coal mined in Virginia contributes $27.11 to Virginia's economy, while every dollar paid to a miner has a $4.64 impact on Virginia's economy. The tax credit has had a pronounced effect on coal production in Virginia. After the tax credit was enacted, the declining trend in coal production has slowed down, and the production levels are higher than projected. As a result of these higher production levels, an additional $394 million in total impact has been generated, millions in severance and income taxes have been produced, and numerous coal mining jobs have been preserved.
- Field Laboratory for Emerging Stacked Unconventional Plays (ESUP): Project No. DE-FE0031576Ripepi, Nino; Karmis, Michael E.; Chen, Cheng; Gilliland, Ellen; Nojabaei, Bahareh (Virginia Tech, 2018-08-24)The objective for this project is to investigate and characterize the resource potential for multi-play production of emerging unconventional reservoirs in Central Appalachia. The project team includes Virginia Tech; Virginia Center for Coal & Energy Research; Enervest Operating, LCC; Pashin Geoscience, LLC; and Gerald R. Hill, PhD, Inc. The anticipated duration of the project is April 1, 2018 - March 31, 2023.
- Meeting Coal Production Demands in the USA: Upstream issues, challenges, and strategiesGluskoter, Harold J.; Karmis, Michael E.; Luttrell, Gerald H.; Ramani, Raja V.; Vance, George F. (Virginia Tech. Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research., 2008-12)The National Commission on Energy Policy (NCEP) commissioned this report to review and identify critical “upstream” fuel cycle issues that need to be addressed to ensure that the domestic coal industry can continue meeting the nation’s energy demands while delivering the social benefits and environmental performance demanded by the public. The central focus of the study was to address matters important to ensuring a coal production system consistent with the nation’s long-term energy and environmental goals and objectives through 2030.
- A Study of Increased Use of Renewable Energy Resources in VirginiaKarmis, Michael E. (Virginia Tech. Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research., 2005-11-11)The objective of this study, as requested by the Virginia Commission on Electric Utility Restructuring, was to review the current status and prospects for renewable energy in Virginia. The study reviews the current generation from renewables, the prospects for future resource development, renewable energy costs compared to fossil-fueled alternatives, incentives and impediments to the development of renewable energy, the economic impacts of renewable energy in Virginia, and environmental compliance considerations. This section summarizes the principal findings in each of these areas, and concludes with recommendations for further investigation and potential action. The complete analyses for each section are included as appendices to this report. Investigations of the topics were carried out by various experts under the general direction of Virginia Tech’s Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research (VCCER). VCCER also contracted with Black & Veatch, a highly experienced energy consulting, engineering, and construction firm, to perform an independent review of the findings and assist with summarizing the key findings and recommendations for Virginia.
- Virginia Coal, 1996Karmis, Michael E.; Jones, Johanna R.; Prelaz, Louis J.; Zipper, Carl E. (Virginia Tech, 1996-07)A complete annual directory and data reference source for all mines licensed in the Commonwealth. Mine listings for each operation include company and mine name, location and contact person, coal owner, seam worked, employees, production, productivity and mining equipment used. Other information contained in Virginia Coal includes state production data, county coal summaries, coal analyses, natural-gas production data, rail information and Hampton Roads coal-export information and service directories. It is the most complete catalog of its kind available anywhere in the state.