Coal extraction is the raw mining of coal from deep within the soil to transport to power plants. The extraction, transportation, and burning of coal create high pollution levels by expanding the concentration of toxic and carcinogenic heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, vanadium, chromium, and radioactive uranium and radon them into the air and the soil. According to formal industry disclosures, of the 265 active coal plants in the Southwest region, 91% were emitting groundwater pollution, leading to unsafe consumption for human use. 

 

Coal Ash is the by-products of raw coal burned to generate electricity in a coal-fired power plant are dangerous and harmful. Studies show that high levels of prolonged exposure to coal ash may significantly harm the environment and animals and cause adverse health effects. Uncovered coal dump sites, the back of an open truck, local rivers, lakes, streams, or nearby forests are ways that communities, particularly Indigenous communities, are exposed to coal ash. Toxic substances from coal can poison groundwater sources and cause harm to wildlife. Health effects from exposure to coal include irritation of the nose and throat, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath. Long-term exposure can lead to liver damage, kidney damage, cardiac arrhythmia, various cancers, developmental and neurological impacts, and more harmful.

 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), living near a coal ash disposal site can increase your risk of cancer or other diseases. The EPA also discovered that living near ash ponds increases the risk of damage. If you get your drinking water from a well near an unlined wet ash pond, you may have a 1 in 50 chance of getting cancer from drinking arsenic-contaminated water.

 

This environmental damage creates environmental justice issues within the four corners region. These fossil fuel companies are circumnavigating the law and basic environmental ethics to maximize profit within their industry.