President Trump recently signed executive orders aimed at revitalizing coal usage in power generation, a sector severely declining for over a decade. However, energy experts contend that these initiatives are unlikely to succeed due to competitive pressures from cheaper, cleaner energy sources like natural gas and renewables. Coal now only supplies 17% of U.S. electricity, down from its historical dominance, with many coal plants requiring costly upgrades. As the energy landscape shifts, some states are phasing out coal entirely, further diminishing its role in the power sector.
The power that coal plants produce typically can't compete with cheaper, cleaner alternatives. Many plants that burn coal are simply too old and need upgrades.
There are a variety of forces at work that don't paint a very bright future for coal. Once the primary source of electricity, coal plants now produce just 17 percent of the nation's power.
Natural gas became abundant and cheap because of the shale fracking boom. Natural gas now provides about 38 percent of U.S. electricity.
Renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power produce about 25 percent, with nuclear energy generating about 20 percent.
Collection
[
|
...
]