Grant Hackworth

Bankier Library Research Award

The Research Process

My research for this paper started out very broad on the topic of coal pollution and how it
relates to the health of the world, both living organisms and their ecosystems. Much to my
dismay, this all-encompassing approach was unacceptable in the professors eyes. The submitted
outline was denied permission to move forward and I was instructed to be more specific towards
one coal plant and its impact on New Jersey. However, as I proceeded with the research process
it became very clear as to why it was necessary for me to be more specific.
At first, mountains of information arrived to my screen when I searched using terms like
coal pollution or health impacts of carbon dioxide Knowing that it would be impossible to
sort through all these sources, I used the advice I had received earlier in the semester from the
librarian to use the advanced search option on the Academic-Search Premier database. By adding
more specific health impacts, such as asthma, respiratory illness, and premature death to my
search on the various pollutants, the door was opened to the data I needed. I chose to use
scientific journals to gain a better perspective to why these pollutants cause illnesses. In these
journals, I uncovered the exact processes of why pollution impacts health. Taking this approach,
I was able to make the connection between coal pollution and how it impacted the people of New
Jersey, enabling me to develop a clearer picture out of the once jumbled information.
I realized the search for a specific power plant to investigate would be another obstacle to
overcome. It was not an easy task to find useful data on coal-fired power plants around New
Jersey outside of the basic tutorials and explanations of what they are and how they operate. As
this information was already known to me, what I was looking for was something pertaining to
issues or crisis revolving around them not just the basics. I once again turned to the librarian for
advice. She steered me towards a search engine that deals with environmental causes known as

Grant Hackworth

Bankier Library Research Award

GREENR, as well suggesting to look into the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) website
on any incidents occurring locally. At first, it was frustrating trying to find something I could
sink my teeth into on this subject, then I struck gold on GREENR about a lawsuit between New
Jersey and Pennsylvanias Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Taking the librarians
advice, I followed this lead to the EPA websites uncovering more in-depth legal documents of
the conflict that proved to be exactly what I needed. It was extremely interesting to find letters
from different department heads issuing concern over the Portland Generating Stations lack of
emission control and the ensuing legal battle for the States right to clean air.
I started gaining more appreciation for what my professor was aiming for me to learn on
this assignment. It was not to write a redundant paper that any college student in Environmental
Politics researching coal pollution would turn out. Instead the message was clear that by using a
finely tuned viewpoint on this matter, I was able to produce some very interesting and relevant
facts on the topic allowing me to write more confidently. Focusing on Portland Generating
Station, I was able to take the information about all the environmental and biological effects of
this form of energy and apply them to this particular plant right across the Delaware River which
was directly impacting New Jersey. Instead of feeling out of touch with the topic, it started to
feel very personal to me, as many of my friends and family live within the radius of the plants
pollution. It was eye opening to see how both organizations were considered departments for
environmental protection, yet Pennsylvania saw no issue in degrading New Jerseys air quality as
long as it did not supersede its own limits. This knowledge stirred the fire inside me as to why I
must continue to educate myself and fight against the greed of the corporate world for the wellbeing of the community.

Grant Hackworth

Bankier Library Research Award

I decided the best way to end a paper with such a heavy undertone was to show what
options for a greener future are out there. To do this I look directly at the Global Warming
Response Act for information on what exactly States are up to. By taking this approach, I was
able to keep other authors opinions out of the information allowing my own opinion to form and
carry throughout the paper. The lesson I have learned from this assignment was that I should
never take one sides word for face value. Having the aptitude to sift through all the information
gathered from countless hours of research with the end result leaving no doubt about the
arguments presented is an invaluable tool in any scholars arsenal. So I can honestly stand behind
this paper and the research conducted on my behalf thanks to the push of my professor and the
assistance of the library staff.