Coal:Coal:The Nitty GrittyThe Nitty GrittyCoal:Coal:

The Nitty GrittyThe Nitty GrittyBy: Kayleigh Batchelor

Coal in the United StatesCoal in the United States 27 states produce coal27 states produce coal Montana, Illinois, Texas, Wyoming, West Virginia, Montana, Illinois, Texas, Wyoming, West Virginia,

Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Indiana.Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Indiana. In 2009, Wyoming produced In 2009, Wyoming produced 431,107431,107 tons tons West Virginia produced West Virginia produced 136,971136,971 tons tons Kentucky produced Kentucky produced 107,338107,338

http://www.eia.doe.gov/coal/page/acr/table1.htmlhttp://www.eia.doe.gov/coal/page/acr/table1.html

Coal in the United StatesCoal in the United States

The ControversyThe Controversy

AdvantagesAdvantages EfficientEfficient CheapCheap AbundantAbundant ReliableReliable

DisadvantagesDisadvantages CO2/ SO2 emissionsCO2/ SO2 emissions Mining harms natural Mining harms natural

habitatshabitats Adverse health effectsAdverse health effects Mining is dangerousMining is dangerous

The ControversyThe Controversy

Many coal and energy companies toutMany coal and energy companies tout““clean coal” technology, but not many of clean coal” technology, but not many of these companies make the investment tothese companies make the investment toput in the technology.put in the technology.

Carbon Capture and StorageCarbon Capture and Storage

ConclusionConclusion More R&D should take place in respect to More R&D should take place in respect to

alternative energy sourcesalternative energy sources Companies should be willing to make the Companies should be willing to make the

initial investment in CCS, despite the costinitial investment in CCS, despite the cost Mining is damaging to many species Mining is damaging to many species

Original SourceOriginal Source

Other sources include Other sources include Science Direct, Nature, Science Direct, Nature, as well as reports as well as reports published for the published for the ACCCE. ACCCE.

InterestInterest

Climate change is a very relevant issue and the Climate change is a very relevant issue and the burning of fossil fuels, especially coal, plays a burning of fossil fuels, especially coal, plays a big part. big part.