coal-fired

Wind And Solar Pass Coal | Earth Wise

August 3, 2023 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

For the first five months of this year, wind and solar generated more electricity than coal in the United States. This is a first. Total renewable energy generation exceeded coal-fired power in both 2020 and 2022, but that counted hydroelectric power as one of the renewable sources.

This year, wind and solar alone generated a total of 252 terawatt-hours of energy through May compared with coal’s output of 249 terawatt-hours. Hydropower generated an additional 117 terawatt-hours during that period.

While solar and wind power have been expanding at a rapid rate, the biggest change this year has been a precipitous drop in coal-fired generation due to a combination of low natural gas prices, a mild winter, and a series of coal plant retirements.

Coal generated almost half of the country’s electricity as recently as 2008. Since then, coal has steadily declined as older coal plants shut down and were replaced by natural gas plants and renewable energy sources. The coal industry had a bit of a reprieve last year when natural gas prices spiked in response to the disruptions in gas supplies in Europe due to the war in Ukraine. The benchmark for natural gas prices – known as Henry Hub – was $8.81 in August 2022. In May of this year, it was $2.15. Given this trend, the demand for coal has steadily declined.

The US has retired another 7% of the coal fleet – 14 gigawatts of capacity – since the start of 2022. Meanwhile, power companies have added 22.5 GW of wind and solar capacity in just the past 12 months.

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In a First, Wind and Solar Generated More Power Than Coal in U.S.

Photo, posted September 20, 2016, courtesy of Bureau of Land Management via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio

Increasing Air Pollution | Earth Wise

July 27, 2020 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

According to researchers from the University of Exeter, half of the world’s population is exposed to increasing air pollution despite global efforts to improve air quality. The study, which was completed in conjunction with the World Health Organization, suggests that air pollution represents a major and growing threat to human health.

For the study, which was recently published in the journal Climate and Atmospheric Science, the researchers reviewed global air quality trends between 2010 and 2016. The research team examined those findings against a backdrop of global policies to reduce air pollution. The researchers used ground monitoring data and satellite data to develop yearly air quality profiles for individual countries and regions.

The scientists focused on fine particulate matter, which is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some of the particles, like dust, soot, or smoke, are large enough to be seen by the naked eye. Others are so small that they can only be seen using a microscope. Inhaling fine particulate matter can cause all sorts of health issues, including asthma, respiratory inflammation, and even promote cancer.

For much of the world’s population, the consequences of polluted air are more deadly than war, violence, and many diseases. According to the World Health Organization, more than four million deaths every year can be attributed to outdoor air pollution. Some of the major sources of air pollution include coal-fired power plants, agriculture, transportation, and deforestation.

The study found that low and middle income countries experience the highest burden of air pollution around the world, with the largest concentrations found in central and southeastern Asia.

More long term policies are needed to curb this growing threat to public health.

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Half of the world’s population exposed to increasing air pollution

Photo, posted August 2, 2019, courtesy of Ron Reiring via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

Shutting Down Minnesota Coal Plants

July 8, 2019 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

One of the largest utilities in the United States, Xcel Energy Inc., announced that it will close its remaining coal-fired power plants in the Upper Midwest a decade ahead of its previously-announced schedule. In addition, the company will add 3,000 megawatts of new solar capacity by 2030.

The Allen S. King plant in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota and the Sherburne County Generating Station in Becker, Minnesota are the plants in question. The transition away from coal is a difficult challenge for such small communities. The plant in Becker, for example, employs 300 people in a town of 4,500 and provides 75% of the city’s tax base. Towns like this realize that coal is inevitably going away and must find ways to move beyond their dependence upon it. The Becker plant will not completely close until 2030, but parts will now only run seasonally, and one of the 3 units will close permanently in 2023

Xcel Energy, based in Minneapolis, serves more than 3.3 million electricity customers in 8 states. Last December, the company announced that it would deliver 100% clean, carbon-free electricity by 2050 and would achieve an 80% carbon reduction from its 2005 levels by 2035. It is the first major US utility to set such a goal.

Xcel will increase its investment in energy efficiency measures, bring 1,850 megawatts of new wind capacity online in Minnesota by 2022, and keep its Monticello Nuclear Generating Station operating until 2040, a decade later than planned. The company’s stepped-up clean energy strategy is part of a new legal settlement between the company, environmental organizations, and labor groups that involves Xcel’s proposed $650 million purchase of a 760-megawatt natural gas plant.

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A Major U.S. Utility Is Closing Its Coal-Fired Power Plants a Decade Early

Photo, posted January 3, 2016, courtesy of Tony Webster via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

Coal And Water

April 19, 2016 By WAMC WEB

We recently highlighted how safe drinking water is in short supply. According to research published in the journal Science Advances, at least two thirds of the global population – more than four billion people – live with severe water scarcity for at least one month every year. And 500 million people around the world face water scarcity all year.

[Read more…] about Coal And Water