coal

Wood scraps

The UK’s move away from coal means they’re burning wood from the US

Europe and the US say wood pellets are a carbon neutral alternative to coal. Many experts say otherwise.

The UK’s move away from coal means they’re burning wood from the US
A rig (L) surrounds the top of one of the chimneys of Battersea Power Station as demolition work is carried out, in London, Oct. 2, 2014.

Why the UK has an easier time than the US divorcing from coal

Why the UK has an easier time than the US divorcing from coal
Coal

Another way to look at the fossil record? By examining coal.

Another way to look at the fossil record? By examining coal.
coal ash pollution

In a Kentucky lake, fish tell the story of long-term coal ash pollution

In a Kentucky lake, fish tell the story of long-term coal ash pollution
The Polar jet stream carries weather systems around the northern hemisphere. It's powered by the temperature differential between the Arctic and areas farther south, but new research finds that it's being disrupted as rapid warming in the Arctic reduces t

Here's a new climate change reality that Trump's new policies ignore

Here's a new climate change reality that Trump's new policies ignore
President Trump shakes hands with a coal miner

Two US coal miners, two very different perspectives on the future of coal

Trump surrounded himself with coal miners when he signed his energy executive order, a very public signal that he was making good on a campaign promise to end the "war on coal." But not all miners agree on the future of their industry.

Two US coal miners, two very different perspectives on the future of coal
China says it will invest another $361 dollars in renewable energy over the next four years and create 13 million new jobs in the sector, building on previous massive investments. The country already has the largest capacity of solar p

Donald Trump sees the future in coal. China sees the future in renewables. Who’s making the safer bet?

China says it'll invest an additional $361 billion in renewable energy projects by 2020, and in the process create 13 million new jobs. The move's in sharp contrast to Donald Trump's promise to reinvigorate the coal industry in the US. Mary Kay Magistad of The World's "Whose Century Is It?" podcast says China seems to have a clearer vision of the future.

Donald Trump sees the future in coal. China sees the future in renewables. Who’s making the safer bet?
Sammis power plant

An Ohio power company wants to reverse the deregulation it once fought for

Natural gas and renewable energy are out-competing coal and nuclear — but FirstEnergy, an Ohio-based power company, isn’t ready to give up.

An Ohio power company wants to reverse the deregulation it once fought for
Coal in West Virginia

Appalachia is being hammered by the fall of coal

With coal generating less than 40 percent of electricity in the country today, miners are in mourning. Mass lay-offs have become weekly news and residents in Central Appalachia, an area once rich with opportunity, don't know what to do next.

Appalachia is being hammered by the fall of coal
Coal power plant in New Mexico

The US Supreme Court will hear a challenge to EPA mercury emissions rule

For years, the coal industry has enjoyed tax benefits and exemptions from strict environmental regulations. But those days might be over: President Barack Obama is using EPA authority under the Clean Air Act to try to curb coal power plant emissions, including CO2 and mercury. But coal interests are fighting back in the courts.

The US Supreme Court will hear a challenge to EPA mercury emissions rule
Scientists with the US Geological Survey gather samples near coal train tracks in the Columbia Gorge near Washougal, Washington. Little research has been done on how coal interacts with the environment.

Scientists dig into booming coal exports and their effects on wetlands

While the US is using less coal than we have in the past, we plan to export more coal to Asia. That means transporting it by trains, as we’ve done for decades. But there’s very little research on the effects coal has on the environment when it escapes from coal hoppers bumping along the rails.

Scientists dig into booming coal exports and their effects on wetlands
terminal

Environmentalists and coal interests fight it out in a small Washington State election

With national policy on climate and energy in political gridlock, the opponents are fighting in local and state trenches. That's why money is pouring into a small county north of Seattle, where there's a debate over a shipping terminal that would send coal to Asia.

Environmentalists and coal interests fight it out in a small Washington State election