Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

modrepub

(3,887 posts)
2. Coal Burning from Electric Power Plants
Sat May 29, 2021, 09:38 AM
May 2021

has decreased significantly over the last 2 decades. Natural gas now produces more and cheaper electricity than coal. There's literally thousands of megawatts of off-shore wind production planned off the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions. If these off-shore wind farms are built and can produce electricity on par with the price of their natural gas and land-based renewables counterparts then in all likelihood the last of the coal plants will be retired (too expensive to maintain and probably not needed as emergency stand-by units) in the next decade.

With the market for utility power coal nearly extinguished (think whale oil) the only real use for coal will come from the coking industry, which uses much less coal than just burning it to produce electricity. Unfortunately, emissions will continue to "leak out" from these abandon mines, but maybe at a lower rate. The area on the map is probably in a high volatile bituminous coal area. Mines in this area should be well vented to prevent gas build up and will cease once the mines shut down.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Environment & Energy»Coal production in Appala...»Reply #2