President Donald Trump is about to sign an executive order to increase the fate of coal on Tuesday, Report Bloomberg.
This order will compel the Federal Government to enroll the government as a critical mineral and some coal -powered power plants that were closed for power generation. The Trump administration is expected to have a couch as part of an attempt to ramp power generation in demand for data centers.
Although the executive order may be somewhat closed, the endless reduction of coal in the power sector is less likely to reverses. Contains coal Decrease From the 21st, when it produces 5% of the country’s electricity and has reached total use in 20 2007. Today, the generation of coal is about 15%.
Some power plants have been closed due to clear air rules, but have been the main driver Low -cost natural gasThe Cheap renewable sources such as wind and solar have also played a role.
Coal is one of the most disasters for power generation. It reveals more carbon dioxide per kilowatt hour than any other fossil fuel, and its smoke is filled with sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and fine particle.
Together, because they cause a Range of environment and health problemsAcid rain and ozone starting from heart disease and Probably ParkinsonThe Mercury also reveals in the burnt coal environment where it is Accumulate in fish and other animalsFinally the one who eats them ends in. Particular poisoning reduces IQ and causes congenital defects.
The Trump administration may have more fate in nominating metal coal as a critical mineral. Although often steelmaking Not alwaysAn intermediary material uses carbon from coal to reduce iron ore. Although green steel techniques have moved against coal -based, they are still more expensive.
However, coal in the power sector is facing significant challenges. Existing power plants can get a short recovery but they will compete with solar and wind, which is getting cheap and cheap today. All except a coal -powered power plant in the United States Less expensive To handle new renewable construction.
Renewables can also be deployed faster than the new fossil fuel power plant, which creates the possibility of producing new coal plants to deal with the data center loads more distant.
