Why are oil shales dirty?
When oil shales are mined, the operations create problems similar to those created by hardrock mining operations––including devastated landscapes, destroyed wildlife habitats, and polluted air and water. The extra energy required to remove the oil from oil shales leads to a particularly energy-intensive method of energy production, generating much greater carbon dioxide emissions than conventional oil extraction. Oil from oil shales contains nitrogen and sulfur that, unless properly removed, can form nitrogen and sulfur compounds that contribute to air and water pollution. Other by-products and potential contaminants related to oil shale extraction include uranium, sulfur, zinc, and other threats to the health of humans, wildlife, and the environment.
