Coal Free IU previews documentary on affects of towns

The Sierra Club’s Coal Free IU previewed a documentary Tuesday that argued burning coal doesn’t just pollute – its extraction ruins the health and well-being of coal mining towns.  

The group screened the documentary “Coal Country” in Woodburn Hall.

Academic events coordinator for Coal Free IU Novella Shuck said the purpose of the film is to show the process of mountain top coal removal, which removes and displaces mountain tops and creates health hazards for local residents. She said Duke Energy supplies IU with coal from mountain top coal removal.

The documentary shows the process of mountain top coal-mining in the Appalachian Mountains. In the documentary local residents explain the effects of mining on their environment.

Residents said there are no jobs other than mining coal. They said coal removal is affecting their water, life expectancy and quality of life.

Debris from mountain top coal mining is pushed down slopes and falls into water streams, which residents said makes the water toxic.  

Shuck said coal removal is linked to autism, asthma and causes lung disease. She said the campaign is a movement to bring attention to alternative renewable energy sources.

Emily Adams, a volunteer for Coal Free IU, said “coal is the number one producer of unregulated mercury in the U.S.”

Sierra Club Coordinator Monica Embrey said this is a big week for Coal Free IU.

Wednesday there will be an arts installation event outside Ballantine Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. that will show recycled materials and how they affect the environment. She said associate English professor Maurice Manning will speak from 12:30 to 1 p.m. at a clean energy rally Thursday.

Coal Free IU has a meeting next week with Tom Morrison, the vice president for capital projects and facilities, so he can hear what they have to say, Embrey said.