The Myth of 'Clean' Coal: Why It Doesn't Exist
Coal has become "cleaner than ever," yet it still doesn't qualify as "clean" energy, according to experts. President Donald Trump has pushed for an increase in U.S. coal production, asserting that "clean" coal will soon be more prevalent in the country. In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump declared his intention to start producing energy with "BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN COAL."
This statement comes on the heels of a significant rollback of long-standing Environmental Protection Agency regulations, which the Trump administration describes as the largest deregulatory action in U.S. history. Among the 31 actions announced, several target previous rules aimed at curbing emissions and pollution from coal use. Notably, the administration plans to "reconsider" President Joe Biden's "Clean Power Plan 2.0," which set stricter emissions standards for coal-fired power plants, particularly concerning toxic metals like mercury and coal ash management.
During his campaign, Trump advocated for increased coal use to meet America's energy demands. On Monday, he reiterated this stance on Truth Social, criticizing environmental regulations and emphasizing the need to boost coal production to compete with countries like China.
While coal is a plentiful and energy-rich resource, especially in the U.S., it remains a fossil fuel that emits carbon dioxide when burned, contributing to climate change. Coal emissions are also linked to health problems, including respiratory illnesses and neurological damage.
Despite advancements that have made coal-fired electricity "cleaner," the fossil fuel still produces significant greenhouse gas emissions and environmentally harmful coal ash. The term "clean coal" often refers to technologies that clean coal before burning or capture carbon emissions, but these do not eliminate its environmental impact, notes Michelle Solomon, a senior policy analyst at Energy Innovation. Solomon explains that burning coal will always result in high greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, even with advanced technologies.
These technologies are not widely implemented in the U.S. A December 2023 report from the Congressional Budget Office indicates that 15 carbon capture and storage facilities operate in the country, none of which are at coal-burning power plants. These facilities capture only a small fraction of the nation's annual CO2 emissions.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration highlights that the recent decline in coal use has been a major factor in reducing energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. In 2022, coal-fired electricity generation was largely replaced by natural gas and renewable energy sources. As cleaner energy alternatives continue to expand, the nation's reliance on coal is steadily decreasing.