Coal Energy: Non Renewable Energy

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Coal is the largest source of energy in the United States. It currently supplies 54 percent. Coal is a non-renewable energy source.

Electricity is created by the burning of coal, this also creates greenhouse gasses along with numerous pollutants. Coal power plants have been around for a long time. They have been studied; the advantages and disadvantages are well known.

It is unrealistic to cut out coal burning power plants completely in the near future. Therefore we must look at ways to significantly lower the amount of harmful bi-products created from the mining and burning of coal.

Coal is the cheapest source of energy; however, new solar inventions are cutting that gap drastically.

Coal Energy Solutions

There are constantly new government regulations that force the coal industry to create cleaner burning coal.

Coal is the cheapest source of energy; however, new solar inventions are cutting that gap drastically.

The burning and mining of coal produces more amounts of harmful pollutants to the air than any other energy source. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, between 1980 to 2001; sulfur oxide emission dropped 38 percent, nitrogen oxide dropped 32 percent and particulate matter dropped 25 percent.

There are several factors that make coal the biggest contributor to the energy system. There is already an integrated infrastructure in place. There are abundant domestic reserves. There are improved technology and efficiency; which leads to lower costs.
Burning coal produces hydrogen. Hydrogen can be used in many ways. The United States intends to have hydrogen and fuel cell technology up and running in the near future. The pros and cons are discussed in a very straightforward manner in this Scientific America article.

The Clean Coal Power Initiative is trying on heading toward a coal-based hydrogen fuel. Sequestration is the process of taking all the harmful leftover gasses created by the burning of coal and placing them into the earth so the do not reach the atmosphere. If the Clean Coal Power Initiative is coupled with sequestration, we could still use coal and have near zero emissions.

Coal Energy Issues

There are many issues when dealing with coal power plants. The burning and mining of coal releases harmful materials into the air. Standard coal burning power plants are the single biggest air polluter in the United States. Pace University finds that 87 percent of coal in the western world is farmed through strip mining, which is extremely harmful to the environment.

Coal plants produce 93 percent of the sulfur oxide and 80 percent of the nitrogen oxide which pollute our air. Even if nitrogen oxide can be dealt with, there are many other toxic bi-products created by the burning of coal. The idea of sequestration is an interesting idea.

One aspect of sequestration begs the question; is there room for that much disposal of the gasses? Power companies have not addressed that particular issue. Another point to consider is that nuclear waste is formed and found in coal sludge. How do you deal with the sludge in a safe manner.

Coal Resources