Coal Mining in Eastern Kentucky
Background: Impoverished populations tend to use more polluting fuels, such as coal, kerosene, wood, and other nonrenewable resources. In eastern Kentucky, coal is the main source of fuel. Coal is used because it is a relatively cheap source of fuel that is abundant in the region. This convenience may soon contribute to an increasing burden on the population if well-planned action is not taken soon. Many local officials have already cut down coal usage from 94% to 75%; however, this reduction has cost many people their jobs. These policy changes cause the area to become more impoverished and to be more likely to go back to using polluting fuels in the future.
Objectives for Documentary: Visually show the audience of the problems caused by coal fueling and the problems caused by local officials that enacted new policy changes. Also, show the audience interview of those that are directly affected by these policy changes.
Possible argument: Instead of just putting a hold on coal usage, officials should provide an alternative to the people. This would allow the people that have just lost their jobs to have an alternative career to pursue. This new job would likely be in implementing and controlling renewable energy sources, such as windmills, hydroelectric dams, or solar energy. This would provide the community with stable jobs and an environmentally friendly energy source.
Research: Research that we could collect on the issue would be interviews and clubs that the group has connections with. Wezley knows someone that is putting up solar panels. Kinsey has family in Harlan County that was affected by the policy changes. Rachel is in an Energy Club. Charisma has connections in Pikeville of people affected. Another source online would be https://wfpl.org/kentucky-lawmakers-consider-alternatives-to-help-ailing-coal-industry/. A possible way to incentivize others to install solar energy is shown in the following website:https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/08/solar-panel-users-excess-power-scheme.
Overall goal: Provide an alternate way to reduce coal pollution without causing the coal mining population to become more impoverished, which would eventually lead to more coal usage.
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