2020-06-25_REVISION - C1981035 (3)

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GHGs and Coal Mining CO2 is the primary GHG emitted through human activities that contributes to climate change (81 percent of total United States GHG emissions in 2016); it is followed by CH4(10 percent of total 2016 emissions), N2O (6 percent of total 2016 emissions), and fluorinated gases (3 percent of total 2016 emissions) (EPA 2017). The main human activity emitting CO2 is the combustion of fossil fuels (including the combustion of coal) for energy and transportation (EPA 2017). Coal combustion for electric power and industry produces CO2 emissions in addition to non-GHG pollutants such as 5O2, NOx, PM, mercury(Hg), and other heavy metals. During underground mining operations, CH4, is released from ventilation systems and generally has higher CH4 content of coal than surface mines due to deeper underground coal seams. However, at the King II mine, CH4 are naturally low because the coal daylights around the outcrop and has already offgassed. In addition, minor amounts of CH4 are released during coal blasting, extraction, storing, loading, and transport. CH4 is also released during post-mining operations as the coal is processed, transported, and stored for use. Methane is also emitted from the production and transport of natural gas and oil, as well as from livestock, other agricultural practices, and the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills(EPA 2017). N2O is emitted from agricultural and industrial activities,as well as during the combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste. Fluorinated gases, which are synthetic, are emitted from a variety of industrial processes. Total underground mining CH4 emissions in MMT CO2e in 2016 was 45.6. 57.1 MMT was liberated, post Mining emissions was 4.8 MMT with 16.3 MMT being recovered and used (EPA 2018). 2.2.1.7 Black Carbon Black carbon is a by-product of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass. It can be emitted when coal is burned, as well as through tailpipe emissions from engines that use diesel fuel (such as diesel trucks and locomotives). Black carbon is a likely by-product that is emitted from haul trucks used during coal mining operations. Black carbon is an unregulated pollutant; however,the EPA does regulate diesel fuel quality, such that in recent years diesel fuel quality has been improved. Black carbon emissions associated with coal combustion occur at the facility where the coal is burned, not where it is being mined. Black carbon is an unregulated pollutant. According to the 2012 Report to Congress on Black Carbon, the bituminous and sub-bituminous coal categories, both of which primarily represent electricity generating units but may also reflect small contributions from commercial and institutional sources, represent relatively small contributions to black carbon emissions in the U.S. (slightly more than 1 percent each)3.At the mine, black carbon occurs as a result of the use of diesel vehicles. Black carbon is a component of the anthropogenic climate phenomenon; however, it is very short-lived, staying in the atmosphere only a few days to a few weeks. Although short lived, while in the atmosphere black carbon is the most strongly light-absorbing component of particulate matter 4. Black carbon can absorb a million times more energy than CO2. Black carbon is a major component of "soot", a complex light- absorbing mixture that also contains some organic carbon. 3 USEPA 2012, Report to Congress on Black Carbon March 2012, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,2010. EPA-450/R-12-001 4 http://www.epa.gov/blackcarbon/basic.htmi Dunn Ranch Area LBA and Mining Plan Modification 16 Technical Resources Report