Should the U.S. Build More Coal-Fired Power Plants?

Moving from its origins as a fuel source in the fires of ancient human civilizations, to its use in historic steam engines, to its current role in meeting the nation's electric power needs, advances in technology have repeatedly allowed coal to improve human living conditions. As electricity generation continues to employ better technology, moving from conventional combustion-style burners, to increased levels of scrubbing and filtering of flue gases, to using more efficient burners and higher steam pressures (ultra super critical and super critical combustion), as well as new coal-to-liquids and gasification technologies (like IGCC), the coal industry, government and academia are working together to ensure that environmental concerns about using coal are things of the past.

Since the 1970s coal use in North America has doubled. At the same time, our overall air quality has dramatically improved. In fact overall emissions from coal plants during that time period have been cut by a third. We are enjoying the benefits of more energy, produced more efficiently, and for less money. And, as if that wasn't enough, the air that we breathe in North America is cleaner today than it has been in several decades. EPA data indicate that from 1980 – 2006 ambient air quality levels for the six criteria pollutants have dropped dramatically.

However impressive that record may seem, it is no excuse to rest on one's laurels and the process of improving technology and benefiting the environment is continuing. Many of the coal-fueled power plants that brought about current emissions reductions were designed decades ago. As they are retired and new coal-fueled power plants are brought on line, we will see even more efficiency improvements and emissions reductions. In fact, coal technologies and the use of coal have progressed to a point where currently available coal plants can meet emissions requirements set for natural gas fired turbines.

We all need a world that's fit to live in. We also need affordable energy. Balancing the two needs is a matter of both ecology and economics. The coal industry has committed itself to blending ecology and economics to produce sustainable and affordable energy.