Environmental Effects of Coal Generation
Environmental effects of coal generation span a wide range, from the combustion of fuel to the disposal of waste, and result in significant environmental and human health impacts – notably, air emissions, impacts on water quality, and reduced visibility. Coal-fired generation produces significant carbon dioxide emissions – with coal emitting at almost twice the rate of natural gas-fired generation. In the region, coal-fired generation has accounted for the majority of historical carbon dioxide emissions from the power plant combustion – although that percentage is decreasing with coal unit retirements and economics around the price of natural gas. In addition to carbon dioxide, coal combustion also causes atmospheric releases of an assortment of pollutants, including particulates, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and mercury and other heavy metals.
The intake and discharge of the cooling water (which may be contaminated by waste and metals during the cooling process) can affect nearby ecosystems and aquatic life. The disposal of waste from the coal combustion process requires a significant amount of land and, depending on the waste disposal structure, can pollute surface water.