1. Coal http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/source s/non-renewable/coal.html http://www.netl.doe.gov/technologies/coalpowe r/cctc/index.html http://www.teachcoal.org/aboutus.html

2. Overview Coal is used to generate almost half of the electricity in the U.S.Coal A visit to a coal mine shows that it is not as dangerous as it used to be.coal mine The US has more energy resources in coal reserves than the Middle East has in petroleum but whether used to generate electricity or liquid fuels, coal produces large amounts of carbon dioxide. Coal is cheap, abundant and has a strong correlation between supply and demand. China, India and the US use the most coal. They are the 3 most populace countries in the world with 40% of the worlds population and 60% of the coal burned worldwide.

3. Net Generation Shares by Energy SourceNet Generation Shares by Energy Source: Total (All Sectors), Year-to-Date through February, 2009

4. Advantages One quarter of the world’s coal reserves are found within the United States. The energy content of the nation’s coal resources exceeds that of all the world’s known recoverable oil. coal resources Coal is a low-cost, per BTU, mainstay of both the developed and developing world, and its use is projected to increase.Coal

5. Disadvantages Coal used to generate electricity produces carbon dioxide and water vapor, as well as other substances such as nitrogen, nitrous oxides, sulfur oxides, and (in the case of coal-fired plants) fly ash and mercury.generate electricity

6. Technical Considerations Power plants burn coal to make steam. The steam turns turbines which generate electricity.burn coal

7. http://www.coaleducation.org/lessons/middle/DOE/graphic2.htm

8. Economic Considerations Coal is a low-cost, per BTU, mainstay of both the developed and developing world, and its use is projected to increase.per BTU In 2006, about 36.2 million short tons of coal were imported from other countries. Most of these imports (from Colombia, Venezuela, and Indonesia) were shipped to electric power producers along the U.S. coastlines.

9. Environmental Considerations Continued In 2006, coal-fired power plants produced approximately 36 percent of the total U.S. carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.coal-fired power plants In addition, electricity generating coal-fired power plants produce water vapour, as well as other substances such as nitrogen, nitrous oxides, sulfur oxides, fly ash and mercury. Mining may produce soil erosion, dust, noise and water pollution, and impacts on local biodiversity.

10. Legal/Regulatory Considerations Coal mining is regulated directly by the states, and indirectly by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the Office of Surface Mining, and several other federal agencies.Environmental Protection Agency Office of Surface Miningother

11. Anticipated Status Recent cancellations of new coal fired power plants make the 2008 projection of coal providing 57 % of US electricity by 2030 unlikely. In order for coal use to produce electricity to increase, the carbon dioxide must be captured and sequestered in underground reservoirs. (CCS) This technology must be developed and be economically viable.captured and sequestered Clean Coal technologies are being worked on, but not here yet.Clean Coal Coal production is increasing at a slower rate than in the past few decades.Coal production slower rate

12. Summary In order for coal to remain a major producer of electricity, reduction of CO2 must be developed as soon as possible. Since the U.S. is a major resource for coal, it would benefit us to develop the technologies for its continued use. Since coal is a primary energy sources in the 3 most populace countries in the world, it would greatly reduce greenhouse gases to develop the technologies to eliminate the carbon dioxide emissions.