Coal Industry

Question1

Coal plays a major role in the economies of the world. It is used to generate almost 30% of the world’s energy, a figure expected to continue to rise over the next several decades, particularly in developing countries. It follows that coal is here to stay for the foreseeable future. There are problems associated with the burning of coal that are being addressed. When coal is burned, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide is released to the atmosphere. This contributes to acid rain and to global warming. In addition to this, particles are released to the air that reduced air quality. The solution to this problem comes in the form of carbon sequestering and clean coal technology. Both of these areas have grown from the growing environmental awareness of the harmful effects of global warming and acid rain, particularly when limits are placed on business by government regulation. Business people generally dislike government regulation as they see it as interference in the free market and in their ability to make a profit. However, in this case, the combination of government regulation and public awareness of environmental issues has led to the growth of new industries, industries that would have been unthinkable just a few decades ago.

Carbon sequestering and clean coal technology are the terms given to industries that produce equipment that reduces the harmful effects of burning coal. There are over $12 billon being spent on researching new technologies in the United States with the aim of creating new methods of reducing the harmful emissions created when burning coal. The benefit of clean coal technology has already been felt. When coal burns, it releases carbon dioxide and other emissions in the form of flue gas. Some clean technologies purify the coal before it burns. Coal washing removes minerals before the coal is burned; wet scrubbers or desulfurization removes sulfur, which is a major cause of acid rain. Spraying flue gas with...