By Dr. John Craynon, P.E.
The Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Science (ARIES) was created to investigate the cultural, scientific and engineering issues related to energy production in Appalachia. Lots of specific issues that ARIES researchers are investigating are critical to Appalachia, energy production and West Virginia. With the extensive history of energy production in West Virginia, including coal mining, oil and gas production and electricity generation, much of the focus of the work has been on the Mountain State.
Most issues and problems have scientific and engineering components, and scientific-based discussions allow for communication, cooperation and collaboration with all stakeholders. The optimum planning, operation and post-mining use of mining projects also relies on science-based approaches. Finally, government policies and regulations must be based on science-based solutions and practices, not on politics or self-serving agendas.
Coal mining—primarily Appalachian mountaintop mining—has been challenged by research results, by litigation and in the court of public opinion. Some studies claim severe health impacts of mountaintop mining in the community, ranging from cancer to infant disease and mortality. It is also alleged that coal mining perpetuates poverty in the mining regions and communities. Further, it is suggested that social and community fabric and character suffers irrecoverably by the coal operations in that area. While these issues have focused on coal mining, other energy production in Appalachia has similar issues and science needs. The need for science to address these concerns and uncover better ways to produce energy in Appalachia led to the formation of ARIES.
A number of meetings and strategic sessions were held in 2010 and early 2011 with participation from the major Appalachian coal producers, coal associations and essential coal infrastructure companies focused on creating ARIES. A vision statement was created and the participating companies were asked to decide on funding and level of support. The sustainability of such an initiative requires a multi-year commitment and financial support, and the ARIES industrial affiliates agreed to that commitment. Industrial affiliate partners committed to fund ARIES with a grant of $15 million over the first five years and a research strategy was chartered and approved. The formation of ARIES was announced on March 31, 2011.
In addition, a core university group with expertise in the ARIES areas of interest was identified and established to implement the goals and vision of this initiative. ARIES was founded with an open door policy, encouraging other companies and universities to join in the future.
ARIES refers to the collaboration and research being conducted using the funding provided by the industrial affiliates at institutions across the Appalachian region. The Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research at Virginia Tech is the managing entity for ARIES. The institutions involved, in addition to Virginia Tech, are the University of Kentucky, Marshall University, Penn State, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, Ohio State University, West Virginia University and the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
The ARIES researchers are focusing on the following six primary areas of work: assessment of mining impacts on ecosystem health and diversity; treatment and minimization of constituent discharges; prediction of constituent releases by overburden and refuse; overburden handling and fill design; next-generation eco-friendly mining systems and evaluating impacts and optimizing contributions of mining on community well-being.
Researchers at both West Virginia University (WVU) and Marshall University are a key part of the ARIES community. At WVU, the West Virginia Water Resources Research Institute, headed by Dr. Paul Ziemkiewicz, coordinates the involvement of WVU faculty and researchers in ARIES. In addition to Ziemkiewicz, Drs. Mike Strager, Todd Petty, Jeff Skousen, Louis McDonald and Vlad Kecojevic, as well as numerous research staff and students, are contributing to ARIES research projects. More than $500,000 in ARIES research funds are being expended at WVU this year. The WVU research work covers ARIES areas 1 through 5, and WVU researchers are instrumental in directing the ARIES efforts.
At Marshall University, Dr. Mindy Yeager-Armstead of the Integrated Science and Technology Program is leading the effort. With more than $150,000 in ARIES funding this year, Armstead is assisted by research staff and a number of graduate and undergraduate students focused on ARIES areas 1 and 2. Specifically, Marshall’s researchers are investigating the impacts of coal mining and related discharges on streams and biological communities in the Appalachian region. Results of the research will enhance stream protection and restoration outcomes as well as develop more efficient water treatment strategies.
The first year of research work concluded at the end of June 2012. Significant progress was made in each of the six areas of ARIES research, and publication in scientific literature is ongoing. Year two budgets and work plans are finalized and work is underway.
In order to facilitate the dialogue about relevant science related to energy production, the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration is hosting the Environmental Considerations in Energy Production symposium to be held in Charleston, WV, April 14-18, 2013. This conference will include not only ARIES researchers, but also researchers from around the country and the world involved in related work.
About the Author
Dr. John Craynon is the project director for Appalachian Research Initiative for Environmental Sciences (ARIES) at the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research at Virginia Tech. His previous career in the U.S. Department of the Interior focused on mining and the environment and the universe of technical, legal and public policy issues related to mining. His specific areas of expertise include regulatory programs and sustainable development related to mining. Craynon has Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in mining and minerals engineering degrees from Virginia Tech. He also completed a graduate certificate in natural resources management at Virginia Tech in 2011. Craynon is a professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia and a member of the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society for Mining and Reclamation, the International Mine Water Association, the Order of the Engineer and the Alpha Mu chapter of Sigma Delta Epsilon. Craynon was given the Outstanding Graduate Student Award in the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering in 2010.
