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Coal Power

All articles tagged with #coal power

Coal Rebound Pushes U.S. Emissions Higher in 2025
environment1 month ago

Coal Rebound Pushes U.S. Emissions Higher in 2025

U.S. greenhouse gas emissions rose 2.4% in 2025, driven by a coal-power rebound as electricity demand climbed (notably from AI data centers) and colder weather boosting heating use; coal burn rose about 13% from 2024, while solar surged 34% and wind grew modestly. Transportation emissions remained flat thanks to hybrid and electric vehicles, though Trump-era policy changes could slow future declines. Methane leaks per barrel fell about 62% since 2015, but EPA rules have been delayed. Emissions are ~18% below 2005 levels and far from Biden’s 2030 target, with Rhodium Group forecasting slower declines ahead due to policy shifts.

Rising AI and Data Center Demands Drive Gas Turbine Boom and Supply Challenges
environment4 months ago

Rising AI and Data Center Demands Drive Gas Turbine Boom and Supply Challenges

US datacenters are increasingly relying on coal due to high natural gas prices and rising electricity demand, leading to a resurgence in coal power that threatens climate goals. This shift is driven by the need for reliable energy sources to support the growing data infrastructure, with environmental and global emissions concerns mounting. Policy challenges and economic factors are complicating the transition to renewable energy sources.

"Global Coalition: US Joins in Pledge to Abandon Coal Power for Climate Cleanup"
environment2 years ago

"Global Coalition: US Joins in Pledge to Abandon Coal Power for Climate Cleanup"

The United States has joined 56 other nations in committing to phase out coal power plants as part of efforts to combat climate change. The Biden Administration has pledged to build no new coal plants and to phase out existing ones, although no specific timeline has been given. The move comes as coal power plants have been shutting down across the country due to economic factors, with natural gas and renewable energy becoming cheaper alternatives. The Powering Past Coal Alliance, which started six years ago, now has 57 country members, including the United States.

environment2 years ago

"Global Coalition: US Joins in Pledge to Abandon Coal Power for Climate Cleanup"

The United States has joined 56 other nations in committing to phase out coal power plants as part of efforts to combat global warming. The Biden Administration has pledged to build no new coal plants and to gradually phase out existing ones, although no specific timeline has been provided. The move comes as coal power plants have been shutting down across the country due to economic factors, with natural gas and renewable energy becoming cheaper alternatives. The United States aims to accelerate the global phase-out of unabated coal power plants and promote stronger economies and resilient communities. The Powering Past Coal Alliance, which started six years ago, now has 57 country members, including the United States.

"Jakarta's Deadly Mix: Coal Power, Traffic, and Waste Burning Fuel Toxic Smog"
environment2 years ago

"Jakarta's Deadly Mix: Coal Power, Traffic, and Waste Burning Fuel Toxic Smog"

Jakarta, Indonesia's most populous city, is plagued by severe air pollution caused by a toxic combination of coal-fired power plants, vehicle and motorcycle exhaust, trash burning, and industrial emissions. The pollution has led to a rise in respiratory illnesses and deaths, with air pollution potentially contributing to over 10,000 deaths and 5,000 hospitalizations in Jakarta in 2019. The government is struggling to balance the rising demand for industrialization with the need to cut carbon emissions and protect public health. Efforts to address the issue include promoting public transportation and electric vehicles, but progress has been slow. Tightening regulations for emissions from factories and industries is also necessary to combat the pollution problem.

G20 Commits to Tripling Renewable Energy Capacity, but Falls Short of Major Goals
climate-change2 years ago

G20 Commits to Tripling Renewable Energy Capacity, but Falls Short of Major Goals

G20 leaders have agreed to pursue tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030 and acknowledged the need to phase down unabated coal power, but fell short of setting major climate goals. Disagreements among the 20 major economies, including Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, and India, prevented the adoption of more ambitious targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The declaration emphasized the importance of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 "in line with national circumstances" and accelerating efforts to phase down unabated coal power. However, it did not mention reducing the usage of crude oil. The G20's commitment to decarbonization is crucial in the global fight against climate change, and the outcome of their climate talks will be closely watched ahead of the COP28 U.N. climate summit later this year.

EU Energy Reforms Stalled Amidst Clashes Over Coal and Nuclear Power.
energy2 years ago

EU Energy Reforms Stalled Amidst Clashes Over Coal and Nuclear Power.

The European Union failed to agree on proposed reforms to its energy market after a last-minute proposal from rotating president Sweden about extending state support for coal power. EU members have markedly different attitudes to coal and its importance in national energy mixes. The EU power market reform aims to decouple the price of electricity across the European Union from the price of natural gas and instead tie it to the price of electricity generated by wind and solar installations.

China's Coal Power Surge Defies Emissions Pledge.
environment2 years ago

China's Coal Power Surge Defies Emissions Pledge.

China has approved a surge in coal power, prioritizing energy supply over its pledge to reduce emissions from fossil fuels. Local governments in energy-hungry Chinese provinces approved at least 20.45 GW of coal-fired power in the first three months of 2023, more than double the 8.63 GW approved for the same period last year. The rise in approvals for coal power projects shows how the need for short-term economic growth is diverting investment away from renewable energy projects. Greenpeace warns that investing in more fossil-fuel plants will create a vicious cycle, accelerating climate change and resulting in more frequent extreme weather such as heat waves.

China's Coal Power Expansion Contradicts Carbon Neutrality Goals.
energy2 years ago

China's Coal Power Expansion Contradicts Carbon Neutrality Goals.

Local governments in China approved more new coal power in the first three months of 2023 than in the whole of 2021, according to official documents. China relies on coal for more than half of its energy consumption, and despite pledges to become carbon neutral by 2060, the government has prioritized energy security over reducing coal use. Campaigners argue that a more flexible grid, rather than more coal, is needed to meet China's growing energy needs, and policymakers have yet to find a solution for efficiently rebalancing the country's energy resources.