Blog Post #6

Blog Post #6

Problem: There has been excess consumption and production of coal for energy sources, which has caused environmental, health, and economic concerns in Eastern Kentucky.

 Background/Context

 History of Mining in Eastern Kentucky
- Mining began in the 1800's to power the trains that ran through eastern Kentucky
- Eastern Kentucky Coalfield includes 30 Kentucky Counties
- Coal mines are slowly shutting down in places like Hazard Kentucky, raising the unemployment rate and forcing people to look elsewhere for work. Trump has promised to re-ignite the coal industry and bring back jobs to places like eastern Kentucky.
- Currently 25% of Hazard's population lives in poverty, to put that in perspective, the national average is 13.1%
- Abandoned coal mines continue to make a negative impact on the environment, health, and economy in eastern Kentucky

Kavilanz, Parija. “How This Kentucky Coal Town Is Trying to Bring Its Economy Back to Life.” CNNMoney, Cable News Network, 8 Nov. 2017, money.cnn.com/2017/11/08/news/economy/hazard-kentucky-coal-jobs/index.html.

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