Sustainable Development: the Role of Coal

| Posted: 02-03-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 11 | Rating: (53)

(?)

Copyright (c) 2008 Daniel Lafleche

The debate over the future of America's energy policy is heating up, and it is liable to reach temperatures of near-combustion amidst the politics of this explosive election season. One industry that has long been a pillar of the American energy establishment is coal, and the case of coal is particularly compelling for two reasons. The first is that massive reserves in western US states such as Montana and Wyoming allow a viable pathway to improved energy independence from unstable and often unsavory oil-producing states. Montana's reserves alone stand at a staggering 120 billion recoverable tons; at 2006 levels of consumption, this would be enough to meet in totality the coal needs of mighty China for nearly half a century. The negative, of course, is that coal-fired power plants are among the most heinous emitters of greenhouse gases.

This clashing of interests has given rise to vocal confrontations in Washington and across the country regarding the role that coal will play in America's future. The Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other influential congressional figures such as Representative Henry Waxman have exhibited their outright opposition to the furthering of any coal interests, arguing that carbon costs are too great and that attention is better focused on renewables such as wind, geothermal and solar power. Aware of the mounting pressure, coal mining giants that reap billions in profits are seeking uses of the fuel that will belch less carbon into the atmosphere. But for Reid and others, the term "clean coal" will only ever be an oxymoron.

Montana's Democratic governor Brian Schweitzer has built a largely deserved reputation as a champion of environmental causes. However his state is split between conservationist elements and a more traditional core composed of ranchers and agriculturalists and of course the interests of "big coal" to which he is not insignificantly beholden. As he straddles this divide, he is uniquely positioned to make a push for better uses of coal. "There is no choice but to go forward with coal," he said recently. "The question is, how are we going to move forward and develop the technology that will make coal clean?"

Central to Schweitzer's proposal is the implementation of large-scale coal gasification and coal-to-liquids (CTL) projects. Like other alternative energy initiatives such as biofuels, their ultimate effectiveness and desirability remain uncertain. But given America's energy exigencies, and the fact that in the foreseeable future coal power will continue to play a large role, it seems to be worthy of our attention.

The process of coal gasification disintegrates coal into its component parts by subjecting it to very high temperatures and applying pressure using steam and oxygen. The resulting synthesis gas or "syngas" is mostly carbon monoxide and hydrogen. It is much easier to remove pollutants such as mercury and sulfur from the syngas, allowing it to burn more cleanly. In addition, once the snygas has been cleaned it is similar to natural gas, which allows it to be burned in more efficient gas turbines. The gas can be further reconstituted into a liquid fuel via the Fischer-Tropsch process, and can then be used directly as a heating oil or indeed to power vehicles.

The prospect is not without unequivocal drawbacks. First of all, it would entail the continuation of coal mining, and the extraction in itself can be an abominable practice. Secondly, although it allows for a significant reduction of carbon dioxide from the levels emitted by dirty coal-fired plants, it still releases sizeable amounts. The releases are relatively easier to capture, but the prevalent idea of "sequestration"storing the carbon dioxide undergroundremains problematic. Finally, in the infantile stages, the costs of "integrated gasification combined-cycle" (IGCC) plants to generate electricity remain very high. However as with all new and untested technologies, these costs could be expected to diminish if the plants become widespread.

Because of the coal mining that it would continue to necessitate, and because it allows only for a reduction of CO2 levels and not their elimination, coal gasification cannot be considered a solution in the absolute sense. And there of course is the lingering external question of energy inputs for the gasification process. But it is when one adopts a more pragmatic view that the light of its desirability perhaps begins to shine through. Coal mining must be rigorously regulated. Early start-ups of IGCC plants will require hefty subsidies and other incentives. But if costs begin to fall, coal gasification and CTL technologies could prove vital catalysts for energy independence and cleaner fuels.

Rate this Article:

Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Tags: Technology, Alternative Energy, Sustainable Development, Climate Change, Environmentalism

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/politics-articles/sustainable-development-the-role-of-coal-348497.html

Print article

Send to friend

Publish this Article

Author feedback

About the Author:

Daniel Lafleche is the co-founder of Alternative Channel, a website dedicated to giving non-profit organizations concerned with issues of sustainable development, environmentalism, and humanitarian issues an online forum for their video content. You can learn more at http://www.alternativechannel.tv

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Add new Comment

Social-political Sustainability: the Human Element
By: Jackson Kern | 09/04/2008 | Politics

Four Steps to Green... for Real
By: Jackson Kern | 07/03/2008 | Self Improvement
Self Improvement related articles

Can Sustainable Development be Clean and Cheap? a Promising 'carbon Credits' Case Study
By: Daniel Lafleche | 21/02/2008 | Politics

Dangers and Opportunities: the Future of Greenwash
By: Jackson Kern | 01/04/2008 | Politics

The Power to Feed the World? a Tale of Sustainable Development, Bioengineering, and Citizen Activism
By: Jackson Kern | 16/03/2008 | Politics

Seafloor Mapping in Solar
By: Cem Ozcan | 18/07/2007 | Science

Sustainable Development: a History of Two Words and Few Facts
By: Marcela Amado | 30/11/2007 | Environment

Three Challenges Defining Social-political Sustainability
By: Jackson Kern | 17/04/2008 | Politics

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

I just bought a vizio 37' hd lcd tv. Can I turn it ...
By: heaven | 19-09-2008
I just bought a vizio 37' hd lcd tv. Can I turn it off at night? Or should I turn the sound down and leave it on?

Volt + volts
By: RAMS | 19-09-2008
How many square feet of solar panels would I need to charge the car? I can collect solar energy to my battery system during the day and then transfer that energy to my car at night. GM could sell a package deal: Volt plus panels = Lifetime of "free fuel".

Need Better MPG from a 330hp crate
By: Fairfield Handyman | 19-09-2008
I have a GM crate engine (330hp-350) in a pickup truck. I am averaging 8.5 mpg. Quadrajet, headers & 350 transmission). I need much better fuel economy. Suggestions requested !!

What technological world events happened between ...
By: Tanya | 17-09-2008
what technological world events happened between 1995-2008

How Much More Can We Take
By: beyondgreen | 17-09-2008
Our country is going to hell in a handbasket. The high cost of fuel has driven up the production and shipping cost of everything. Consumers have nothing left over after filling the tank and paying more for the necessities of life to spend on extras, save or invest. We need to get ourselves out from under our dpendency on foriegn oil.Just as gas prices start to fall slightly and we felt like there might be hope along comes Ike and causes them to spike to an all time high. Families everywhere are wondering where else they can cut back to cover the cost of fueling up the family vehicle to get back and forth to work and take care of the necessities of life. There is no money left for relaxation and family fun. The stress level continues to rise. Most areas of the country have seen a sharp rise in their electric bill as power companies pass their increased production costs on to consumers. The price of a gallon of milk is almost as precious as a gallon of gas. The cost of every consumer product has risen sharply. Americans are stretched to the limit. Jobs are being lost, foreclosures are increasing at an alarming rate. Seems even the family pets are suffering the high cost of fuel as almost daily a sad new story is on TV about shelters being forced to euthanize record number of surrendered pets from those forced out of their homes due to foreclosure or they simply can't afford to feed them anymore. The energy crisis in our country is far reaching and needs immediate attention. Our economy is in a sorry state of affairs directly related to the high cost of fuel. We have become so dependant on foreign oil that we have neglected to fully utilize such natural sources of energy such wind power & solar power. Along with modern technology such as plug in cars, hybrid cars, v2g technology ,and regenerative braking, technology we still seem to be floundering as a nation as to devising the best plan utilize all that is available to us and lift ourselves out of this mess we are in. We need to take o ur closest look at which candidates put our economy and energy crisis at the forefront of their agenda. There is a new book coming out soon called "The Manhattan Project of 2009" by Jeff Wilson

Wind Energy Courses on-line
By: Steve | 16-09-2008
Where can I take an online course resulting in some form of wind energy certification (wind turbines, etc.)?

Q&A Powered by:

Latest Politics Articles

Why Sarah Palin is Not Bipolar
By: Sarah Freeman | 13/10/2008
In what has been a strikingly bitter and divisive US election campaign, one of the most distasteful forms of personal attack has been left-wing bloggers labeling VP candidate Sarah Palin as bipolar. These commentators apparently believe it is possible to diagnose Governor Palin as a closet sufferer of manic-depressive illness,...

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson Considers Name Change for Office of Financial Stability
By: Les Lafave | 13/10/2008
The Treasury's newly formed Office of Financial Stability may be renamed "The Office of Financial Stability, Tee Hee Hee".

The Last 100 Days
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 12/10/2008
What George Bush does in the last 100 days in office he could not have fathomed- much like not being able to imagine the first year due to the 9-11 bombing.

In the Face of Demolitions, Palestinian Father Builds on
By: Matthew J. Bosisio | 12/10/2008
Jamaal's home in the West Bank town of Anata has been demolished repeatedly. But the resolution of this father of three drives him to continue rebuilding for his children's future.

Barack Obama- Black Terrorist?,
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 12/10/2008
How easily it is to slip into hidden prejudices and to have the heart reveal what the head was not conscious of nor thought.

The Barack Obama Con Job
By: Josh Greenberger | 11/10/2008
Apparently, Americans are susceptible to celebrity-type images to the point where logic and reason go out the window. If you're planning to vote for Obama, here's a quick one-question test to help you sort out whether you're choice is a logical one.

Can a Coming Energy Crisis Top the Wall Street Disaster?
By: Klaus H Hemsath | 11/10/2008
The recent Wall Street disaster reminds us that citizens cannot trust industry. Greed has invaded the most profitable companies to an unacceptable and destructive degree. US citizens must consider the banking crisis as a wake up call for preventing the oil and energy industries from creating an even more destructive energy catastrophe. We must outlaw fossil fuels and begin to produce renewable fuels for keeping the US secure.

Hatred & Racial Fires
By: Ernie Fitzpatrick | 11/10/2008
The wheels are seemingly coming off the McCain campaign as it rolls into the last three weeks of the presidential push and it's getting more than ugly.

More from Daniel Lafleche

Indie Filmmakers Looking for Film Buyers: 5 Reasons Why It's Never Too Early to Start Marketing
By: Daniel Lafleche | 31/03/2008 | Art and Entertainment
This quick and easy article gives Indie filmmakers and producers a list of five key things they should do during the production stage of the film to ensure better marketing opportunities afterwards.

The 5 Trends That Make Sxsw 2008 the Indie Film Fest You Need to Know About
By: Daniel Lafleche | 18/03/2008 | Art and Entertainment
This snappy article looks at five key trends that predominated at the South By Southwest 2008 Film Festival. From mumblecore to retro-auterism, from fiction to documentary film trends, it's all here.

Looking for Film Buyers? 5 Steps to Secure Distribution for Your Indie Film
By: Daniel Lafleche | 25/02/2008 | Art and Entertainment
This article looks at five steps that every Indie filmmaker and producer shoudl know about selling thier film to a film buyer.

Can Sustainable Development be Clean and Cheap? a Promising 'carbon Credits' Case Study
By: Daniel Lafleche | 21/02/2008 | Politics
This article explores the workings of the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism, and how it helps firms in developing nations achieve sustainability.

Sustainable Development on the Stump: Environmental Policies of Obama, Clinton, and Mccain
By: Daniel Lafleche | 15/02/2008 | Politics
This article seeks to heighten awareness of the environmental and energy policies of America's next president-- whoever he or she might be.

Who is the Most Independent Filmmaker Friendly Distributor in 2008? the Answer Might Surprise You
By: Daniel Lafleche | 10/02/2008 | Art and Entertainment
Sony Pictures Classics' recent Indie Film deals are making it look either, clueless, or like it is gearing up for a future of Video Direct niche markets that the rest of us are not aware of yet.Choosing to buy smaller films that do look like they have potential for crossover success, SPC is throwing conventional specialty shopping wisdom to the wind.

Sustainable Development: What Does it Mean and Who Wants to Tell You?
By: Daniel Lafleche | 07/02/2008 | Politics
This article serves to answer basic questions regarding the project of sustainable development.

Sundance Film Festival 2008: Five Key Trends and Must-knows for Indie Directors and Producers
By: Daniel Lafleche | 30/01/2008 | Art and Entertainment
The Sundance Film Festival is one of the world's most important cinema venues. The fascinating 2008 edition of the festival, which has just ended, leaves us with a lot to think about. Here are 5 things to chew on as American movies face what is likely a pivotal year. Critical reading for indie and independent directors and producers.

Article Categories

Article Marketing

Article Notepad

Stop Duplicate Content

Term Papers

Need Help?

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (3.55, 17)

Sustainable Development: the Role of Coal

Article Comments

Related Articles

Got a Question? Ask.

Latest Politics Articles

More from Daniel Lafleche

Need Help?

Site Links

Webmasters

Business Info

Sign up for our email newsletter