Coal
When is it predicted to run out?
There is roughly 300 billion tons of recoverable coal in the United States. If we continue to use coal at today’s rate, there is enough coal to last 250 years. Coal is mined in 25 of the 50 states.
Pros and cons
Pros:
Coal power is known for being reliable, and it provides a stable energy source to meet the demands of electricity. It can be converted into other forms of energy. Contributes to the economy. Has a high energy density, which means a little provides a lot of energy.
Cons:
Coal has a negative impact on people’s health and the environment with high air pollution. Coal mining is a dangerous job. Uses significant amounts of water.
How is it made?
Coal formed millions of years ago. As plants and animals died, layers of dirt compressed over time. Heat and pressure transform from moist, low-carbon peat, to coal, an energy- and carbon-dense black or brownish-black sedimentary rock. Peat is basically the first stage of coal formation its partly decayed plants.
How is it used?
Coal is mostly used to generate electricity. The energy stored in coal is released when coal is burned. The heat produced by the combustion of the coal is used to convert water into high-pressure steam, which drives a turbine, which produces electricity.
How is the environment and our health affected?
Coal power plants contribute to air and water pollution, which severely affects wildlife health and ecosystem balance. Coal combustion releases harmful air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, impacting air quality. Coal is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.
Other Facts
- The average coal plant emits approximately 3,000 tons of CO2 per day.
- The United States makes around 1 million tons of coal yearly.
- About 5 million acres of the U.S. land have been mined to make coal.