Mention the problems of coal as an energy resource
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Water Pollution
Coal production requires large quantities of water, which affects the habitats of both aquatic and land-based wildlife as well as people who use these water resources. Water that comes into contact with coal during extraction, cleaning, storage or energy production collects heavy metals like lead and arsenic. This polluted water can contaminate groundwater and nearby surface water sources.
Air Pollution
The process of burning coal for energy produces greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants, including carbon dioxide, mercury compounds, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Per unit of electricity, coal produces more pollution than any other fuel source, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (See References 2, Coal) In addition, all steps of coal energy production -- mining, transportation and cleaning -- produce greenhouse gas emissions. Coal contains methane, a combustible and potent greenhouse gas. Methane's global warming potential is 23 times greater than carbon dioxide. For safety reasons, methane vents into the atmosphere during coal processing.
Additional Environmental Impacts
Coal mining operations radically alter local ecosystems and wildlife habitats, by introducing roads, clearing trees and removing large sections of land. Pollutants created by coal mining also contribute to acid rain, especially in the Appalachian region. In addition, burning coal generates ash, a solid waste that contains akali and metal oxides. Although new recycling processes use coal ash for building material, such as cement, the majority of ash contributes to landfills or remains in abandoned mines. Additionally, many abandoned mines still contain harmful pollutants and continue to pollute the soil and nearby water sources.
Improving Coal Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy and members of the private sector are developing cleaner processes for coal energy production. Their goal is to reduce or eliminate air and water pollution in newly designed power plants. In addition, the Department of Energy is working to recapture greenhouse gases produced from converting coal into electricity. More efficient energy extraction processes may also double the energy produced from coal over the next two decades. Improved coal energy production will lead to increased employment opportunities for Americans.
Coal production requires large quantities of water, which affects the habitats of both aquatic and land-based wildlife as well as people who use these water resources. Water that comes into contact with coal during extraction, cleaning, storage or energy production collects heavy metals like lead and arsenic. This polluted water can contaminate groundwater and nearby surface water sources.
Air Pollution
The process of burning coal for energy produces greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants, including carbon dioxide, mercury compounds, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Per unit of electricity, coal produces more pollution than any other fuel source, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (See References 2, Coal) In addition, all steps of coal energy production -- mining, transportation and cleaning -- produce greenhouse gas emissions. Coal contains methane, a combustible and potent greenhouse gas. Methane's global warming potential is 23 times greater than carbon dioxide. For safety reasons, methane vents into the atmosphere during coal processing.
Additional Environmental Impacts
Coal mining operations radically alter local ecosystems and wildlife habitats, by introducing roads, clearing trees and removing large sections of land. Pollutants created by coal mining also contribute to acid rain, especially in the Appalachian region. In addition, burning coal generates ash, a solid waste that contains akali and metal oxides. Although new recycling processes use coal ash for building material, such as cement, the majority of ash contributes to landfills or remains in abandoned mines. Additionally, many abandoned mines still contain harmful pollutants and continue to pollute the soil and nearby water sources.
Improving Coal Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy and members of the private sector are developing cleaner processes for coal energy production. Their goal is to reduce or eliminate air and water pollution in newly designed power plants. In addition, the Department of Energy is working to recapture greenhouse gases produced from converting coal into electricity. More efficient energy extraction processes may also double the energy produced from coal over the next two decades. Improved coal energy production will lead to increased employment opportunities for Americans.
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