[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 86 (Thursday, June 30, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       SALUTE TO COP COLLECTIBLES

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. President, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
my colleagues an outstanding and innovative program of Maine's South 
Portland Police department which has been enormously successful in 
teaching young citizens to stay away from illegal drugs.
  As juvenile crime and illegal drugs use continue to infect our cities 
and towns in epidemic proportions, we must do all we can to educate our 
Nation's youth from their earliest ages about the dangers of becoming 
involved with drugs, crime, and violence. Conveying an anti-drug 
message to kids is increasingly difficult since our culture delivers a 
continuous message of violence and irresponsibility to our children 
through the television and movies they watch, the music they hear, and 
even the headlines and news stories to which they are exposed.
  Parents, teachers, and communities are finding it very difficult 
indeed to compete with the glamorous portrayal of violence and 
substance abuse. Thus, when community leaders find a way to reach 
children effectively on these crucial issues, we should do all we can 
to promote their efforts.
  The South Portland Police department in Maine has taken on the 
difficult task of delivering positive messages to young people through 
a very successful--and seemingly old fashioned--means: trading cards. 
Last year, the department issued its first edition of ``Cop 
Collectibles''--trading cards, like baseball or football cards, 
featuring police officers. Instead of sports heroes, each card sports 
the picture of a local police officer. On the back is the officer's 
biography and an anti-drug message which the officer on the card has 
selected.
  Sgt. George Berry, the public relations officer of the department, 
seized on the opportunity to trade on this American tradition after 
learning about a similar collectibles program in Iowa. The cards are 
distributed to children at schools, and each week the police department 
features a card that the children eagerly collect. Prizes and contests 
are provided to encourage children to collect the cards, and community 
businesses have joined in by offering promotions, such as free pizzas 
or T-shirts, to young people who participate in the program.

  The Cop Collectibles program has been enthusiastically embraced by 
the entire community, schools, parents, and most importantly, by the 
children themselves. Almost 140,000 cards have been distributed in the 
first year of this project alone and a second series of cards will soon 
be issued. Several other police departments have plans to begin similar 
programs due to the enormous success of South Portland's experience.
  In addition to providing a strong, effective antidrug message, the 
Cop Collectible program has fostered an important relationship between 
law enforcement and youth. Since the program began, it is not unusual 
to see children lining up at the police station to visit their heroes, 
pointing out a familiar police officer on the street based on cards 
they have collected, or having officers autograph their cards at the 
Maine mall. Perhaps most importantly, the program has taught children 
that it is ``cool'' to admire police officers and to resist drugs, 
alcohol, and violence.
  Mr. President, through my work on the Juvenile Justice Subcommittee, 
I am firmly convinced that prevention and education are the best way to 
combat juvenile crime, and that communities must do all they can to 
support law enforcement's efforts in these areas. The South Portland 
Police department's Cop Collectibles program is a prime example of how 
a community has banded together to send the right message to their 
children, and I am confident that we will see the positive results of 
this program for years to come.
  I want to commend Chief Robert Schwartz, Sergeant Berry, and the 
entire South Portland Police department for their commitment to the 
young people of their community and congratulate them on the success of 
their program.

WINNERS IN WYOMING COAL INFORMATION COMMITTEE ESSAY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

  Mr. WALLOP. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the four winners of 
the Wyoming Coal Information Committee annual essay scholarship 
program. Rebecca Fisher of Powell received a $2,000 scholarship for her 
first place entry and will attend the Northwest College in Powell. The 
regional winners of the $500 WCIC scholarships are Neel Kumar of 
Laramie, David Russell of Rawlins, and Tammy Gilbertson of Gillette, 
all of whom plan to attend the University of Wyoming.
  These outstanding students competed with 33 other Wyoming students. 
To qualify, students were required to write an essay entitled, 
``Wyoming Coal--Revenues, Resources and Jobs for the State and Its 
Citizens.'' By utilizing and culminating their extensive research, 
participants were able to better understand the importance of Wyoming's 
coal industry and the benefits it provides. All of the top essayists 
wrote excellent pieces focusing on how the industry benefits each and 
every person in Wyoming through tax revenues that fund schools, roads, 
and other vital services. All essayists agreed that the search by 
producers for a cleaner fuel rejuvenated Wyoming's failing coal economy 
in the 1960's. The winner, Rebecca Fisher, stated that Wyoming's strip 
mines and high worker productivity combined with its environmentally 
friendly low-sulfur coal contribute to its No. 1 ranking as a coal 
producing state. Tammy Gilbertson added that the coal industry provides 
4,576 jobs and brings in $21 billion annually. Neel Kumar and David 
Russell noted Wyoming coal offers a practical alternative to unstable 
and unreliable Mideast oil. In short, each student did an outstanding 
job illustrating the contributions coal has made to our State's economy 
and environment.
  I commend the Wyoming Coal Information Committee for providing 
scholarships that will undoubtedly encourage students to become the 
powerful leaders who will shape our future, and I congratulate each of 
these students on writing articulate and thoughtful essays. I ask that 
the essays be printed following these remarks.
  There being no objection, the essays were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

   Wyoming Coal--Revenues, Resources and Jobs for the State and Its 
                                Citizens

                          (By Rebecca Fisher)

       As a high school senior and one who has, what I thought, a 
     well rounded knowledge of the world and that's going on in 
     it, I was amazed to discover Wyoming's involvement in the 
     coal industry.
       In 1992, according to Rand McNally, the population of the 
     State of Wyoming was approximately 455,975. Every year the 
     State Inspector of Mines of Wyoming submits to the Governor 
     of Wyoming, an annual report. In this report I was able to 
     find out much about coal mining in the State of Wyoming. I 
     found out from this annual report that approximately 2 
     percent of the entire State's population is employed in the 
     mining industry and 49.8 percent of these were employed in 
     coal mining production.
       In the 1993 ``Wyoming Mineral and Energy Yearbook'' 
     published by the Department of Commerce/Economic and 
     Community Development Division/Energy Section, I found out 
     that most of the coal produced in Wyoming is in Campbell 
     County. In 1992 coal production fell in Campbell County by 
     slightly over 5 million tons but this was the first decrease 
     in Campbell County since 1986. Even with this decrease, 
     Campbell County still produced 84 percent of the State's 
     total coal. This decrease occurred because of the devaluation 
     on coal by $38 million (or 9 cents per ton) and because of 
     production losses. Campbell County produced 159.6 million 
     tons of coal in 1992 and is expected to produce 153.3 million 
     tons in 1993.
       In 1993, Converse County was expected to be the second 
     largest producer of coal in the State, with estimates of 17.1 
     million tons expected to be produced. This is quite an 
     increase over the 1992 production of 8.5 million tons, 3d 
     largest county for 1992 production. These increases reflect 
     planned increases in several of the State's newest mines.
       The third largest county, production wise, is Sweetwater 
     County. In 1992, 12.8 million tons were produced. The 1993 
     estimates show a decrease to approximately 11.3 million tons.
       The dollar valuation of coal production for 1993, based on 
     the 1992 production, is the second largest for the State, at 
     31.5 percent in reference to mineral income. Coal production 
     is second only to oil production, at 39 percent of the total 
     dollar valuation. In Wyoming, the minerals industry is the 
     largest contributor to the State's economy. The 1993 
     valuation based on 1992 production was $3,619,999,037 which 
     represents 59 percent of Wyoming's total valuation. These 
     figures place Wyoming in the top 10 of mineral producing 
     States in the United States. Coal, coming in at 31.5 percent 
     of the total valuation, breaks down to $1,140,299,696, making 
     Wyoming the top producer of coal in the Nation.
       There are basically four main types of coal but many more 
     subcategories. The four main categories are ranked according 
     to their composition and heating value. The four categories 
     rank in order, from the highest content and heating value to 
     the lowest. The four categories are: anthracite, bituminous, 
     subbituminous, and lignite. The grade of Wyoming's coal is 
     subbituminous and contains less sulfur and more moisture than 
     this same grade of coal that is produced in the East and 
     Midwest. The low sulfur content is the physical property that 
     makes Wyoming coal so attractive to thermal electric 
     generation plants. This interest began in the middle 1960's 
     when it was discovered that the low sulfur content of the 
     coal made it possible for the thermal electric plants to 
     operate without having to install expensive exhaust gas 
     scrubbers. Even though Wyoming coal had other factors that 
     were not as impressive, such as low heat value and high water 
     content, the savings of not having to install the exhaust gas 
     scrubbers more than compensated for these other properties.
       There was another reason that interest was sparked in the 
     1960's toward Wyoming coal and that was cost. Because most of 
     the coal produced in Wyoming was strip mined, open pit mines, 
     it cost less to produce than the deep mined eastern coal. 
     Worker productivity is also greater because of the ability to 
     use larger machinery and modern technology in the open pit 
     mines. These factors all contribute to the lower production 
     costs of Wyoming coal and the lower cost made it possible for 
     the thermal electric generation plants to operate more 
     profitably.
       In 1959 Wyoming was at the very lowest in its coal 
     production. The decrease in the production of coal started in 
     1947 when the railroads started changing from steam to diesel 
     engines. As the demand decreased so did coal production. When 
     the interest by the thermal electric generation plants 
     started, Wyoming coal perked up. Since 1971 Wyoming coal 
     production has increased over twenty seven fold. The decrease 
     in 1992 (which was the first decrease since 1986) still led 
     the Nation in coal production at 190,025,252 tons. The 
     estimates by the Department of Commerce indicate that they 
     expect Wyoming to be producing 220 million tons of coal by 
     the year 1997. This is approximately a 16 percent increase 
     over what was produced in 1992.
       The Powder River Basin which encompasses three counties, 
     Converse, Campbell, and Sheridan, has the three largest 
     surface mines in the Nation. In the entire State there are 30 
     active coal mines. Of these 30 mines, 26 of them are surface 
     mines strip mines, and only 4 are underground operations. Of 
     the 23 counties in the State, the coal mines are concentrated 
     in only 7 of them. The Kemmerer Coal Co. started operating 
     around the turn of the century and is still operating today. 
     It is considered the longest continuous operation in the 
     State.
       The demand for Wyoming coal has not only been from power 
     plants in 32 of the United States, but also from electric 
     utilities in Mexico, Canada, Japan, and Taiwan. Some billion 
     tons has been exported to these other countries. Getting back 
     to the figures I quoted earlier about the percentage of 
     Wyoming residents that were employed in actual coal 
     production I would like to say that I was not able to come up 
     with any information that indicates figures that include the 
     transportation of coal to its destinations. I did find out 
     that 88 percent of the coal that was exported in 1992 was 
     transported by the railroads. The balance of 12 percent was 
     transported by truck or barge. So you can see that a great 
     deal of people, not only in Wyoming, are receiving their 
     livelihood from coal production and also from the 
     transportation of coal from Wyoming to its destination of 
     use. This is not to mention the number of people who are 
     employed because of the energy that the coal is producing.
       Living in Park County, which produces no coal, I was only 
     aware that the lime plant, that was recently constructed near 
     Frannie on the Wyoming/Montana border, used coal to operate 
     their plant. I called the plant and was interested to learn 
     that for the 330 days per year that they actually operate, 
     they use 90 tons of coal daily. That figures out to 29,700 
     tons annually. They have the coal trucked in from Sheridan 
     County and they receive three trucks daily. The lime plant 
     employs 13 fulltime people and if the coal stopped, that 
     would mean that 13 lime plant employees and at least three 
     truck drivers would be out of work. So you can see that not 
     only the production of coal employs residents of the State 
     but some of the industry in the State is very dependent on 
     Wyoming coal.
       A different twist that I really hadn't considered is most 
     taxes that are paid by the coal producers and the multitude 
     of other minerals produced in the State, contribute directly 
     to the individual residents of the State. Wyoming is one of 
     only a few States in the United States that does not have 
     State income taxes. I believe that most of the reason for 
     this is the fact that we are so mineral rich and mineral 
     production derives enough taxes to enable the State to 
     operate without having to have a State income tax. Not only 
     do the people derive the advantage of not having to pay State 
     taxes but the cities, towns, and counties derive some of 
     their operating revenues from the collections from the 
     mineral producers in the form of mineral royalties, mineral 
     severance, and sales taxes. Without the minerals produced in 
     this wonderful State we would be poor indeed.
       In conclusion I would like to submit a tremendous thank you 
     to all of the mineral producers for making Wyoming such a 
     wonderful State to live in. Without you, we as residents, 
     would have less jobs, more taxes, and probably fewer cities, 
     towns, and counties that provide well for our citizens.
                                  ____


   Wyoming Coal Revenues, Resources, and Jobs for the State and It's 
                                Citizens

                         (By Tammy Gilbertson)

       Wyoming is a sparsely populated state with a delicate 
     economy. Agriculture will not begin to support it, and the 
     future of oil is uncertain and unpredictable. Coal, however, 
     properly managed, marketed, and controlled will make Wyoming 
     an economic leader in the west for many years.
       Wyoming's coal sales are well over one billion dollars 
     annually. This figure is based on sales; it in no way 
     reflects the actual money that coal brings into Wyoming. 
     Wyoming leads all other states in the amount of coal produced 
     yearly. Wyoming (Campbell County) has the two largest coal 
     mines in North America.
       The impact of mining in Wyoming is positive and has been 
     significant over the past two decades. In 1975, coal 
     activities increased dramatically in the Powder River Basin 
     and continued to grow until the local industry reached it's 
     peak in 1981. The high level of activity in the coal 
     industry, combined with a flourishing oil and tourist 
     industry resulted in a statewide population explosion, with 
     people from all over the world coming to Wyoming; most to 
     mine coal. Sixty-three percent of Wyoming's gross economy is 
     a direct or indirect result of coal mining in the state. More 
     recently, the industry has experienced a steady, healthy 
     growth; and the economic impact can already be seen (Mines in 
     WY 1).
       Coal mining has a significant effect on virtually all 
     citizens of Wyoming. Coal revenues has generated over 10 
     million dollars for our state's schools in the last five 
     years alone (Campbell County Chamber of Commerce). The coal 
     industry provides jobs for 4,576 people year round in 
     Wyoming. In total, coal mining brings in 21 billion dollars 
     annually in direct economic impact on Wyoming.
       Modern mining addresses issues which were notoriously 
     ignored in the past; safety, environmental concerns, and 
     community development and improvement are very serious 
     considerations for today's mining companies. The environment 
     is an issue that is on everyone's mind when mining is 
     considered or discussed. Wyoming has a very rewarding program 
     dealing with reclaiming the land that is mined. In Wyoming, 
     every mine has a department that deals directly with 
     environmental issues. These issues range from keeping the 
     mine site clean to making sure that when the land has been 
     mined it is put back to it's natural state. Reclaiming land 
     is the process of putting the land back to the state that you 
     found it in. Mines spend millions of dollars on this; the 
     process includes planting grass, planting trees, adding 
     rocks, and reestablishing animals that once lived on the 
     land. This is a process that not only the mines but also the 
     government takes very seriously. Mines can be very severely 
     fined if the act of reclamation has not been successfully 
     completed. Another issue of concern to the environment is the 
     cleanliness of the mine. All mines have a standard of 
     cleanliness that must be attained at all times. This standard 
     includes the entire mine, from the mine vehicles to the 
     bathrooms.
       Safety is another issue that both mines and the government 
     take very seriously. Mines make safety their first priority. 
     Like the environment, safety also has it's own department. 
     There are extensively trained, though rarely needed, rescue 
     teams at every mine. Safety teams are maintained in case 
     there are emergencies that require people with medical or 
     rescue training. Achieving better safety records has become 
     an exercise of intense competition among area mines, and the 
     end result is that few injuries occur. Employees are 
     generously rewarded for their contributions to safety. These 
     rewards vary from money to clothing. Mines also encourage 
     good health. They do this by providing health club passes to 
     employees and their families or providing wellness clubs for 
     participants to belong to. These programs are typically quite 
     successful and are often expanded to benefit others in the 
     communities.
       In conclusion, mining is an extremely complex issue that 
     deals with more than just energy; it deals with people. Right 
     now coal is the United States' number one source of energy. 
     Our reserves indicated that we would have enough coal to last 
     at least 240 years at current consumption rates. Without 
     coal, Wyoming would be a very poor state; and Campbell County 
     would not exist in the form that we know it today.
                                  ____


   Wyoming Coal--Revenues, Resources and Jobs for the State and Its 
                                Citizens

                            (By Neel Kumar)

       Coal, one of Wyoming's most valuable assets, has almost 
     unlimited potential in domestic and foreign markets. Wyoming 
     coal is desirable because it has many unique characteristics 
     such as its economical mining cost and its low sulfur 
     content.
       The demand for coal has been on the rise for several years. 
     In the United States the need for a cleaner fuel source has 
     caused many companies to take a good look at converting their 
     factories from oil and high sulfur coal to the low sulfur 
     coal found in the West. The domestic necessity for low sulfur 
     coal, such as the type found in the Powder River Basin, has 
     caused the demand for Wyoming coal to become greater. Wyoming 
     has overtaken other states such as West Virginia and Kentucky 
     to become the nation's leading coal producer. In 1991, 
     Wyoming's coal industries were responsible for 19.6% of the 
     United States' total coal output. The power generating 
     industry is easily the largest consumer of Wyoming coal. Of 
     the 194 million tons produced in 1991, 97% was consumed by 
     power plants.
       Coal offers a viable and cost efficient alternative to 
     foreign oil. By using coal reserves, such as the ones in 
     Wyoming, the United States decreases its dependency upon 
     foreign energy products. Domestic coal would provide the 
     nation with invaluable independence. This energy independence 
     would also be very beneficial in the case of a national 
     crisis such as a war or natural disaster. With the volatile 
     instability of the Middle East, Wyoming coal offers this 
     country a dependable and practical power source. By mining 
     domestic coal, the United States invests into its power 
     companies two choices. They can either begin burning more low 
     sulfur coal or they can install scrubbers to filter some of 
     the detrimental emissions released from their power plants. 
     Switching to cleaner coal of the Western reserves would be 
     half as expensive as buying a scrubber.
       The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) strict 
     environmental standards make Wyoming's relatively clean coal 
     look extremely appealing to many manufacturers and companies. 
     A coal consuming company can save money by combining 
     Wyoming's clean coal with a high sulfur coal to form an 
     effective and inexpensive mix. Many industry analysts predict 
     coal will be one of the solutions to the world's 
     environmental problems. Wyoming's low sulfur coal has already 
     helped the power generating industry to produce less 
     hazardous emissions.
       In the future, Wyoming coal may be exposed to new areas 
     presently under development. Studies have been conducted to 
     remove the pollutants in the flue gas resulting from the 
     combustion of coal using microwaves. Scientists have also 
     experimented with the addition of ammonia to coal to remove 
     pollutants. If all or any of these processes are successful, 
     Wyoming coal will become an even more important resource. The 
     technology for the gasification and liquefaction of coals is 
     available; should the economics be favorable, these 
     technologies will offer Wyoming a chance to utilize its 
     reserves in another method.
       The coal industry brings many kinds of jobs to Wyoming. In 
     1992, the employment of workers in the coal industry was at 
     4,648. Equally important to Wyoming's economy are the number 
     of jobs created as an indirect result of various coal 
     companies. Besides the workers in the coal mines, people are 
     needed to operate the machinery in the power plants which 
     produce electricity from the coal. Many jobs, including 
     positions which involve the construction and maintenance of 
     mining facilities, have been created as a direct consequence 
     of Wyoming's coal industry. Numerous companies have been 
     founded to offer the coal industry dependable machinery. 
     Other offshoots of mining are the businesses and industries 
     which settle near the mines to provide the workers with 
     everyday necessities; an example of a city like this is 
     Wright, Wyoming.
       The research of coal utilization has been become very 
     important. The country has begun to realize the values of its 
     enormous coal resources and why it should be utilized in an 
     environmentally safe manner. Studies, both public and 
     private, are being conducted to determine the best possible 
     method for burning Wyoming's low sulfur coal. All of these 
     jobs, direct results of the coal industry, are a significant 
     part of both Wyoming's society and its economy.
       Wyoming coal industries are also responsible for a great 
     amount of economic activity in this state. In 1991, a study 
     conducted by Drs. Robert Fletcher and David Taylor found this 
     economic activity in Wyoming to be approximately $2.7 
     billion. Once again, the indirect economic results of the 
     coal industry are equally as important.
       State taxes from the sale of Wyoming coal provide money for 
     road maintenance, educational institutions, water development 
     projects, recreational facilities and trust funds. Other 
     taxes, such as the severance tax, are distributed to capital 
     construction, highway funds and a Permanent Mineral Trust 
     Fund. In 1991, the total amount of taxes--including sales, 
     use, federal, and severance among others--generated from 
     Wyoming's coal reserves was $457,359,000. The state of 
     Wyoming received roughly 57.3% of the aforementioned figure.
       Wyoming has unlimited economic potential with the 
     advancement of the coal industry. The state must begin to 
     concentrate its efforts to utilize its assets in the most 
     productive way possible. It is clear that the Wyoming coal 
     industry will lead this state into the 21st century, giving 
     its citizens a bright and prosperous future.
                                  ____


                              Wyoming Coal

                           (By David Russell)

       In the heart of Rawlins, Wyoming thrives a small business 
     that provides several services to the community. D&L 
     Enterprises, owned and run by my father and his brother, is 
     an industrial paper company, appliance sales and repair 
     dealership, and part of the Culligan franchise all wrapped 
     into one with plumbing on the side.
       Rawlins is struggling economically right now, and 
     businesses, especially small businesses are going through 
     some hard times. My father has to keep his business very 
     flexible and open to new ideas just to survive, but he could 
     not survive at all without Wyoming's coal industry.
       Every business and every person in this state is affected 
     by Wyoming coal, whether they realize it or not. My father 
     deals directly with the coal mines in Carbon County, selling 
     them various paper products, rock salt, and extensive water 
     conditioning services. Indirectly, the coal mines help the 
     business by providing individual consumers.
       In 1993, Wyoming's coal industry employed over 4,500 
     individuals, paying them an average of $1003.00 a week. This 
     money was in turn put back into Wyoming's economy when an 
     employee bought groceries, had a dishwasher fixed, or just 
     ordered a pizza. These 4,500 people keep my father and many 
     others in business.
       Aside from the business aspect, all Wyoming citizens 
     benefit politically and financially from the coal industry. 
     Because much of the nation depends on Wyoming coal as a 
     source of energy, Wyoming carries much weight in Congress, 
     especially on energy and environmental issues. With the ever 
     increasing concern for the environment, demand for Wyoming's 
     low sulfur coal will inevitably increase. Financially, 
     Wyoming's citizens save a substantial amount of money. 
     Severance taxes on mines account for five percent of tax 
     revenue for the State. Wyoming also collects royalties from 
     mines located on state owned land. If the coal mines didn't 
     exist, that money would still have to come from somewhere.
       Coal mining is a booming industry, which attracts big 
     companies. Big companies bring people and business into the 
     state. Wyoming has greatly benefited from the hard working 
     and valuable citizens brought in by the coal industry.
       Coal was discovered in Wyoming as early as 1843. According 
     to U.S. Geological Survey records, the first recorded 
     production of coal occurred in 1865 where some 800 tons of 
     coal were produced. The Union Pacific Railroad was the major 
     coal consumer from 1868 to 1950. Coal mines shot up all over 
     the state and production inclined steadily until the mid 
     1940's.
       During the 1950's, Union Pacific made a transition from 
     coal burning steam engines to more efficient diesel engines. 
     This was a striking blow to the coal industry and the economy 
     of Wyoming. Coal production which was 9.8 million tons 
     bottomed out at 1.6 million tons in 1958. Life got hard fast 
     for many people. The fall in demand threatened the very 
     livelihood of Wyoming's citizens. In Kemmerer, incidents were 
     recorded of people rolling boulders down mountains to wreck 
     any passing diesel propelled locomotives.
       After hitting rock bottom in 1958, coal production again 
     started to rise steadily. Demands from electric generation 
     plants and factories kept coal miners working. These 
     factories were generally located within the state at first, 
     but the number of factories out of state increased, and coal 
     production continued to rise.
       In 1970, the Clean Air Act was passed. Within two years the 
     demand for Wyoming's low sulfur coal shot to over 10 million 
     tons. In 1973 the Arab oil embargo created an even bigger 
     demand. Wyoming has since grown to be the number one coal 
     producer in the nation. Amidst cutbacks, Wyoming produced a 
     record of 214 million tons in 1993. Ninety-seven percent of 
     Wyoming's coal is used by electric power generation plants 
     and 84% of the coal is being transported outside the state.
       In 1990 Congress enacted revisions to the clean air act, 
     but Wyoming has not yet felt a significant impact. More 
     environmentally friendly legislation is likely, and 
     production will only increase. By the year 2001, the number 
     of people employed by the coal industry is projected to be 
     5,140, and production will be 214.7 million tons. Wyoming 
     still has 25 billion tons of coal in demonstrated reserves, 
     but technological advances may enable us to take advantage of 
     the 1.5 trillion tons underlying about 41% of Wyoming's 
     surface.
       Over the years, environmental extremists have been opposed 
     to coal mining. Even the term ``strip mining'' brings to mind 
     images of barren waste land, stripped of beauty and 
     integrity, left by the heartless coal miner, who was only 
     interested in making a buck. These images are frightening, 
     but they are simply not true. Coal mines are required by law 
     to protect the quality of the land, air and water. Like a 
     good Boy Scout, mining operations return land to a condition 
     as good as or better than it was before any mining took 
     place.
       I learned this lesson first hand last summer. I was 
     employed by Graves & Associates, a company contracted to 
     reclaim abandoned drill sites in the Green Mountain area. We 
     were given maps of the area marked with all known drill 
     sites, each of which had to be accounted for before moving 
     on. At each site, we augured down to open up the hole, 
     checked how deep the hole was, made sure it was taken care of 
     properly, and then did a little landscaping.

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