Coal Seam Gas Essay -- Environment

With environmental sustainability a key focus for the future the need for cleaner forms of power generation have resulted in a number of gas exploration projects in Australia (Department of Infrastructure and Planning, 2008). With Australia having potentially vast untapped reserves of coal seam methane beds it must be asked whether there are any negative impacts associated with coal seam methane (CSM) before the energy industry moves into a new technology. Coalification, the geologic process that progressively converts plant material to coal, generates large quantities of natural gas, which are subsequently stored in the coal seams. The increased pressures from water in the coal seams force the natural gas to adsorb to the coal. The natural gas consists of approximately 96 percent methane, 3.5 percent nitrogen, and trace amounts of carbon dioxide (U.S. EPA, 2004a). Also known as Coal bed methane (CBM), CSG is released by removing water from the stratum which reduces the pressure on the coal seam (Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation QLD, 2012). Over the past 15 years and despite the recent global economic downturn the CSG industry has continued to grow rapidly in both development and exploration. The Queensland’s coal seam gas overview shows this clearly with the annual number of wells drilled has increased from 10 in the early 1990s to nearly 600 in 2011 (Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation QLD, 2012). As a result of this rapid growth it is necessary to evaluate the current CSG industry to establish and minimise the current and future environmental impacts of CSG mining. Literature Review Many studies have been conducted into the environmental impacts of downhole ... ... treatments in the Oak Grove Field, Black Warrior Basin, In Situ, J. of Coal Research. 17:(3). 273-309. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2000. Study Design for Evaluating of Impacts to Underground Sources of Drinking Water by Hydraulic Fracturing of Coalbed Methane Reservoirs. America: EPA. Ardis, L. 2006. Clash Over Coalbed Methane. The Tyee. http://thetyee.ca/News/200 6/11/14/CBM/. (Accessed Thursday 31st May 2012). Razowska L, 2000. Journal of Hydrology: Changes of groundwater chemistry caused by the flooding of iron mines (Czestochowa Region, Southern Poland). 244(200). 17-32. Polish Geological Institute. Montana Department of Environmental Quality, 2007. Coal Bed Methane Federal, State, and Local Laws, Regulations, and Permits - That May Be Required http://www.deq.mt.gov/coalbedmethane/cbm_water_quality.mcpx (Accessed Tuesday, 29th May, 2012).

The bad things about Obama’s economic plan in foreign policy

To say the economic state of America is the most pressing need on the minds of most Americans today, would certainly not be too far from the truth. This is perhaps why both candidates realize that they have to say something at least on this subject. It is sad however to note that Obama’s plans depict a gross lack of understanding of our economic travails. Indeed, a group of respected economists noted recently that â€Å"Barack Obama’s economic proposals are wrong for the American economy†. Firstly, Obama proposes an overall increase in tax rates just as he admits that this proposal would not serve a weak economy. One wonders therefore how he thinks this would work in present day America. Or is this the strong economy Obama imagines for Americans? Increased tax rates would raise federal spending, bring about a slow in economic growth and of course result in massive job losses which of course heads us for another depression which we sure do not pray for. Again, Obama intends to end America’s trade ties the world over. Now, to decide against international trade is certainly not in our best interest, at least not in these times for the economists said â€Å"international trade is also a powerful source of strength in a weak economy†. Also, more jobs are created when we export our goods abroad and cheap products are also imported for the middle class and low income earners to especially to consume. It is this set of people that Obama’s plans would deprive of this veritable source of livelihood. As part of his plans, he also wishes to withdraw American forces from Iraq so as to free funds for the local economy. But we know that can not be true when an holistic view of the costs and benefits of the war would become after such rash withdrawal. In conclusion, Obama’s plans lack depth and appear destined to fail beyond redemption if allowed to run.

Little Women Or Meg By Louisa May Alcott - 966 Words

Little Women or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy by Louisa May Alcott is a coming-of-age story about four girls with all different personalities and different ways of going through the world. Alcott was persuaded by a talented editor from the Roberts Brothers firm to write a story for girls, and while Alcott was hesitant because she was not the largest fan of girls; she began the task. While this piece was originally geared to satisfy younger girls, the piece goes far beyond the point of just being another piece of â€Å"chick lit.† When Alcott wrote the first part of Little Women in 1868, it was seen as groundbreaking work. It was groundbreaking not because she was a new author, (she was thirty-five years old and had been in the writing industry for over a decade and a half (MacDonald 12)) but because she was able to incorporate the aspect of young women (appealing to the juvenile audience) but also incorporate a different kind of heroine. When Jo was made the heroine and the center of the story; it went against societies norms to cherish a young lady who was the furthest thing from being ladylike. With Jo as the leading lady, Alcott was able to address the idea of a novel centered on girls but also include the newer concept of a tomboy. Throughout the novel Jo, with the rest of her sisters, transforms from a young adolescent to a more mature, selfless women; but that was not without struggles. This novel was seen as â€Å"chick lit† for more than one reason, with the title being LittleShow MoreRelatedLittle Women, by Louisa May Alcott800 Words   |  4 PagesLittle Women, by Louisa May Alcott, was published in 1868 and follows the lives, loves, and troubles of the four March sisters growing up during the American Civil War.1 The novel is loosely based on childhood experiences Alcott shared with her own sisters, Anna, May, and Elizabeth, who provided the hearts of the novel’s main characters.2 The March sisters illustrate the difficulties of g irls growing up in a world that holds certain expectations of the female sex; the story details the journeys theRead MoreAnalysis Of Louisa Alcott s Little Women And Jo s Boys Essay996 Words   |  4 Pages2016 Character Development in Louisa Alcott’s Little Women and Jo’s Boys Many people are and were consumed with the character development in Little Women which was first published in 1945. 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Thesis: Louisa May Alcott’s stories describe the child’s path to virtue, have the similar moral of simplicity as the best path,Read MoreLittle Women By Louisa May Alcott1680 Words   |  7 PagesLittle Women, a novel written in 1868 also known as the 19th century. Louisa May Alcott, the author of the Little women captures values of social class and characteristics of the 19th century that are then reflected in the characters in her book. The characters in the book are written about the actual people in Louisa’s family. Little Women has themes such as coming of age, developing self-knowledge, overcoming personal faults, and female independence. The way Louisa wrote Little Women makes allRead MoreA Discussion Leader : Alcott s Portrayal Of Marriage And Family947 Words   |  4 PagesDiscussion Leader: Alcott s portrayal of marriage and family in Little Women. 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