Coal Industry: Climate Change's Dark Fuel

The coal industry fuels climate change by releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere when burned. In 2022, coal burning for energy accounted for about 19% of total US energy-related CO2 emissions and for about 55% of total CO2 emissions from the electric power sector. As a result, the consequences of global warming, such as drought, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather, and species loss, are becoming increasingly severe. In addition to carbon dioxide emissions, coal-fired power plants also emit toxins and pollutants such as mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates, which have negative impacts on both the environment and public health.

Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel

Coal-fired power plants emit large amounts of carbon dioxide, with the US alone releasing nearly two billion tons of carbon dioxide annually from coal plants. Coal combustion is also responsible for a range of other harmful air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, and particulate matter. These emissions have severe environmental and public health impacts, such as asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, and neurological problems.

In addition to air pollution, coal mining and power plants negatively impact water sources. The ash produced by coal-fired power plants, amounting to over 100 million tons annually in the US, can contaminate lakes, rivers, streams, and drinking water supplies. Mountaintop removal mining, a common practice in the Appalachian Mountains, alters the landscape and can result in pollutants harming aquatic wildlife downstream.

Coal is a significant source of energy globally, supplying just over a third of the world's electricity generation. However, the transition to cleaner energy sources is gaining momentum. In 2020, renewable energy sources accounted for about 20% of US electricity generation, and this share is expected to continue growing. Despite the challenges, there is a growing recognition of the need to phase out coal-fired power generation to mitigate its environmental and health impacts.

Coal-fired power plants emit harmful substances

Coal-fired power plants emit a range of harmful substances, causing severe environmental and public health impacts. When coal is burned, it releases airborne toxins and pollutants, including mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and heavy metals. These emissions have been linked to a range of health issues, such as asthma, breathing difficulties, brain damage, heart problems, cancer, neurological disorders, and even premature death.

Sulfur dioxide, a major component of acid rain, contributes to respiratory illnesses and has detrimental effects on aquatic wildlife. Nitrogen oxides, another pollutant, play a role in the formation of smog and also contribute to respiratory problems. Particulates emitted from coal-fired power plants impact respiratory and cardiovascular health, leading to respiratory illnesses and lung disease.

Coal-fired power plants also release mercury, a toxic heavy metal that has been associated with neurological and developmental damage in humans and animals. Additionally, the ash produced during coal combustion, known as fly ash and bottom ash, poses environmental challenges. While regulations mandate the capture of most fly ash emissions, improper storage or disposal can result in groundwater contamination.

Furthermore, coal combustion releases carbon dioxide (CO2), a primary greenhouse gas. CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants contribute significantly to global warming and climate change. The consequences of global warming are far-reaching and include drought, sea-level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and species loss.

To address these issues, regulations such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act have been implemented to reduce pollutants released into the air and water. Additionally, technologies like scrubbers (flue gas desulfurization equipment) and electrostatic precipitators are employed to mitigate emissions and remove particulates and heavy metals from the smoke. However, the transition to cleaner energy sources and the development of more efficient and less polluting technologies are crucial to mitigating the harmful impacts of coal-fired power plants on the environment and human health.

Coal mining affects landscapes and waterways

Surface mining, which involves removing the top layers of soil and rock to access coal, is the most common method of coal extraction in the United States, accounting for 62-63% of coal extraction. This type of mining drastically changes the landscape, as large areas of land are stripped of vegetation and dug out, leaving behind a scarred terrain. In the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia and Kentucky, mountaintop removal and valley fill mining have had significant impacts, with explosives used to remove mountain tops and streams being covered by rock and dirt. This fill material can contain pollutants that harm aquatic life downstream.

Underground mining, which creates tunnels in mountains to access coal, is less visually intrusive but still has environmental consequences. The ground above mine tunnels can collapse, altering the landscape and posing a safety risk. Additionally, acidic water can drain from abandoned underground mines, known as acid rock drainage, which can contaminate nearby waterways.

Coal mining operations also produce large amounts of coal ash, a waste product that is often disposed of in ponds, lakes, and landfills. Over time, this coal ash can contaminate nearby waterways and drinking water supplies. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 130 million tons of coal ash are generated each year in the United States, posing a significant threat to water sources.

The impact of coal mining on landscapes and waterways is not limited to the immediate vicinity of mines. The obliteration of mountain streams and valleys by mountaintop removal mining can have far-reaching effects on aquatic ecosystems and water supplies for human communities. The energy-water collisions that occur when coal plants rely too heavily on local water supplies can also affect water availability and ecosystems.

To mitigate these impacts, U.S. laws require dust and water runoff control measures and mandate that mined areas be reclaimed and restored to their original condition as much as possible. However, the effects of coal mining on landscapes and waterways can be long-lasting and challenging to reverse.

Coal combustion produces air pollutants

Coal combustion produces a variety of airborne toxins and pollutants that are harmful to both human health and the environment. These include:

Sulfur Dioxide

Sulfur dioxide is a major cause of acid rain and respiratory illnesses. It is released into the atmosphere when coal is burned and contributes to smog and haze. In the United States, coal-fired power plants emit a significant amount of sulfur dioxide, which has been linked to asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, and neurological problems.

Nitrogen Oxides

Nitrogen oxides are another pollutant produced by coal combustion. They contribute to smog and respiratory illnesses, as well as haze and lung disease. Nitrogen oxides are formed during the burning of coal and, like sulfur dioxide, are a major cause of air pollution.

Mercury

Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that is released into the air during coal combustion. It has been linked to both neurological and developmental damage in humans and other animals. Mercury pollution from coal-fired power plants is a significant environmental concern and has far-reaching impacts on ecosystems and human health.

Particulate Matter

Particulate matter, or particulates, are tiny particles of solid or liquid matter suspended in the air. They are released during coal combustion and contribute to smog, haze, and respiratory and lung illnesses. Particulate matter can be inhaled and can have serious health impacts, including asthma and breathing difficulties.

Heavy Metals

In addition to mercury, coal combustion releases other heavy metals into the atmosphere. These heavy metals can include lead, cadmium, arsenic, and chromium. These toxins can have serious health impacts, including brain damage, heart problems, cancer, and neurological disorders. They also contaminate waterways and soil, posing risks to aquatic life and ecosystems.

Coal Ash

Coal ash is the residue left over from burning coal. It is difficult to recycle and often ends up in ponds, lakes, landfills, and other sites. Over time, coal ash can seep into waterways and drinking water supplies, contaminating them. Coal-fired power plants produce more than 100 million tons of coal ash every year in the United States alone, posing a significant environmental and public health threat.

Coal is a major contributor to global warming

Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and is responsible for over 0.3°C of the 1°C increase in global average temperatures. In 2020, coal supplied 19% of US energy consumption and accounted for 19% of total US energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. In the same year, coal-fired power plants in the US emitted nearly two billion tons of carbon dioxide.

Coal-fired power plants emit a range of damaging substances, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, and particulate matter. These emissions have been linked to a range of health issues, including respiratory illnesses, neurological damage, and developmental harm in humans and animals.

In addition to air pollution, coal mining and power plants impact water sources. Coal mining can alter landscapes, and waste from coal-fired power plants can contaminate waterways and drinking water supplies.

The consequences of global warming due to coal use include drought, sea-level rise, flooding, extreme weather, and species loss. To avoid these impacts, a transition away from coal towards cleaner energy sources is essential.

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