Coal: can't live with it, but Not without it, either

Journal Article · Fri Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 2010 · Electricity Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TEJ.2010.01.004· OSTI ID:21285683

The future of coal in the U.S. is very much dependent on two key factors, both uncertain for now: the fate of climate legislation in the U.S. Congress after Copenhagen, and future prospects for a major breakthrough in carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology. The near-term prospects for coal in the U.S. have been described as bleak. Longer-term, the industry has to come to terms with new emission restrictions and new technologies. Blessed with the largest reserves of coal, the U.S. finds this fuel to be the cheapest option for power generation -- unless a price is placed on carbon. The EIA, in its 2009 Outlook, says the price of carbon has to rise to $50 per ton by 2020 and $110 by 2030 to meet the agency's targets.

• OSTI ID: 21285683
• Journal Information: Electricity Journal, Journal Name: Electricity Journal Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 23; ISSN ELEJE4; ISSN 1040-6190
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON SEQUESTRATION
COAL
EMISSIONS TAX
FORECASTING
LEGISLATION
USA