MIRL2014-02-282014-02-281980MIRL, 1980, Surface coal mining in Alaska 1980, an investigation of the surface mining control and reclamation act of 1977 in relation to Alaskan conditions: University of Alaska Mineral Industry Research Laboratory Special Paper #4, 328 p.http://hdl.handle.net/11122/2995The Nation today is faced with a serious energy problem. Domestic production of petroleum has been declining in recent years, while our dependence on foreign oil has been increasing. We continue to be vulnerable to interruptions in the supply of foreign oil similar to that which occurred in 1973. In addition to nuclear power, our principal alternative to oil, at least for the near term, is coal. The energy that might be obtained from coal is more than an order of magnitude greater than can be obtained from oil. The need to develop domestic coals resources is obvious, and there is little doubt that coal will play an increasingly important role in our energy future.List of figures -- List of tables -- Preface -- Summary of findings and recommendations -- Chapter 1: Introduction -- Chapter 2: Coal resources, mining, and development in Alaska -- Chapter 3: The relationship of Alaska's environmental, socioeconomic, and regulatory conditions to potential coal development -- Chapter 4: Background and criteria for evaluating the suitability of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (PL 95-87) for conditions in Alaska -- Chapter 5: Suitability of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (PL 95-87) for conditions in Alaska -- Selected bibliography -- Appendix A: Sequential analysis of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (PL 95-87) provisions as they pertain to Alaskan conditions -- Appendix B: Environmental law -- Glossary.en-USReport