U.S. ENERGY—A COAL-BLOODED BEAST
Solutions for Keeping Coal an Acceptable Part of the US Energy Mix

In the last Eco-Logical, we introduced the topic of coal as a major source of electricity for the US and as a major source of environmental problems. So why don't we just all ring up the local power plant and let them know we'd like them to switch to a cleaner alternative? It's not that simple, of course—that would be about as effective as calling your local cable company and telling them you'd like better channels.

Since coal accounts for a little over 50% of the electricity generated in the United States, going cold turkey and giving up coal all at once won't work. And since we've got 200+ years' worth of the stuff lying around, it's not necessarily sensible, either. But just letting old-technology coal-fired power plants continue to belch poison into the air is not sensible either, and letting coal companies ruin mountains and communities is neither sensible nor fair. Several changes in strategy and policy could allow coal to be part of a much cleaner, greener future for US energy.

In terms of coal mining, the following improvements can be made:

• Improve planning and establish best practices for coal mines, and more actively enforce the laws and regulations related to proper operation of existing mines and their restoration at the end of their useful life;
• Ensure that cleanup of abandoned mines (which aren't covered by the same law that applies to newer mines) proceeds in a timely and thorough fashion;
• Reverse government policies that allow mining practices that result in filled-in valleys, contaminated streams, unsafe coal-slurry impoundment lakes, ground subsidence, and similar problems that affect the environment, people and communities;
• Recognize that there is no truly good way to mine coal and move the country towards energy technologies that don't require coal in the first place.

In terms of electricity generation, we should:

• Require high-tech exhaust-stack scrubbers for all existing coal-fired power plants. These scrubbers can reduce mercury, sulfur, and nitrogen pollution by up to 95%. The loophole allowing old plants to continue to be major polluters must be closed.
• Require that all new coal-based power plants be built using Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle technology. This technique turns the coal into a gas before it's burned, resulting in cleaner and more efficient combustion.
• Require that all new (and some old) power plants sequester their carbon dioxide emissions. The emerging technology of carbon sequestration will help keep carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and will reduce greenhouse gases. (Note: The need for carbon sequestration applies to power plants that burn oil and natural gas too.)
• Gradually transition the US electricity mix away from coal towards cleaner and more sustainable technologies like wind and solar power.

Just to be clear, one thing we DON'T recommend is making prank calls to your local power company asking, "Do you have coal sores?" We do, however, recommend that you let your power company know you want them to get greener. You might also consider purchasing part of your electricity from cleaner sources, which is now possible because of electricity deregulation.

Resources:

• Grinning Planet's Mining Resources page lists several groups that can provide more info on coal mining
• The US Department of Energy's Green Power Network has tips for finding cleaner electricity sources

Publish date: 18-DEC-2003

"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."

— Dan Quayle

ANIMATION RELATED TO
Coal Solutions

FIRST THERE IS A MOUNTAIN,
THEN THERE IS NO MOUNTAIN,
THEN THERE IS ....
This is a really fine 5-minute animation that humorously takes on the serious topic of mountain-top removal mining and the disconnect between distant coal mining and how we just flip on a power switch in our homes. It's more targeted at kids, but I can tell you that this adult enjoyed it just fine! From Green Gorilla/ SustainLane and FreeRange Graphics. Go there

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