All articles tagged with #coal
A deepening conflict in the Persian Gulf has disrupted oil and gas markets and prompted Europe and Asia to turn back to coal as a readily available substitute amid a fresh gas supply crunch, with Asia’s LNG importers—Japan, South Korea and Taiwan—leading the expected rise in coal demand.
Iran's war is disrupting oil and gas supplies and driving up energy prices, prompting a mixed boost for cleaner energy in some regions while keeping coal in play in others. Higher prices could accelerate renewables and EV adoption to hedge against gas spikes, but the outcome remains messy and uneven rather than a straightforward shift to clean energy.
Trump rolled back Biden-era tightening of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard, restoring coal plants to the 2012 rule and potentially exempting the industry from stricter limits. EPA estimates the rollback would save about $78 million annually (2028–2037), while the tighter 2024 standard would have cut mercury emissions about 23% by 2035. Environmental groups vow to appeal, warning that plants could ease pollution controls and monitoring to save money, with potential impacts on public health and grid reliability.
The Environmental Protection Agency weakened pollution limits on coal-fired power plants, allowing higher mercury and other heavy-metal emissions as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to revive the coal industry, despite scientific evidence of health risks and climate concerns. The move, showcased at a Kentucky plant visit, underscores ongoing regulatory shifts affecting public health and fossil fuel policy.
At a pro-coal event, Donald Trump attacked the Tennessee Valley Authority and its newly appointed CEO Don Moul, vowing to personally target him over energy policy and pay as TVA decided to keep operating coal-fired units; Trump noted Moul’s high compensation, comparing it to former CEO Lyash’s $10 million package in 2024, while TVA defended its service to 10 million people and the role of coal in its energy mix.
China added a notable number of coal-fired plants in 2025 even as wind and solar capacity grew, reflecting ongoing concerns about energy security and demand growth that keep coal central to its electricity mix amid a broader renewables expansion.
The Energy Department has ordered five coal-fired plants to stay online and officials say closures will be halted across more units for the next three years, a move aimed at delaying retirements but likely costing billions and provoking debate over energy reliability and climate goals.
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions rose about 2.4% in 2025 after two years of decline, driven by colder winter heating and higher natural gas prices that boosted coal-fired power; electricity demand from data centers and crypto mining contributed to higher consumption, while solar grew rapidly and transportation emissions stayed flat thanks to EV adoption. The rise complicates long-term decarbonization goals, though forecasts suggest the trajectory could improve with policy and market shifts and reporting changes.
China’s coal-fired power fell 1.6% and India’s by 3% last year—the first declines in both since the 1970s—thanks to a record surge in solar and wind that met rising demand. China added over 300 GW of solar and 100 GW of wind, while India added 35 GW solar, 6 GW wind and 3.5 GW hydro. Together they drove more than 90% of the rise in global carbon emissions from 2015 to 2024, so a sustained fall in coal use could help curb global emissions, though weather and demand variability could reverse gains; the IEA cautions coal may stay near peak until 2027 due to gas prices and other pressures.
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions rose about 2.4% in 2025 versus 2024, ending a decade-long decline as a cold winter boosted heating demand and electricity use from data centers and crypto mining, with higher natural gas prices boosting coal power; solar surged 34% and zero-carbon sources supplied roughly 42% of electricity, though experts warn the uptick could foreshadow more emissions if fossil fuels remain dominant and Trump-era rollbacks haven’t yet taken effect.
Colder weather boosted heating fuels and a surge in electricity demand from data centres and crypto mining lifted US greenhouse gas emissions by 2.4% last year, with coal up 13% despite solar growth; higher natural-gas prices spurred fuel switching, while transport emissions stayed roughly flat thanks to more hybrids and EVs, and Trump-era policies are viewed as having little immediate impact.
President Trump is redirecting nearly $625 million in federal funds, originally intended for clean energy and carbon capture projects, to revive aging coal plants, raising concerns about the deviation from the original statutory purposes and the potential undermining of clean energy goals.
The Trump administration has ordered the continued operation of the coal-fired Craig Unit 1 in Colorado due to an emergency need for electricity, despite plans for its closure and criticism from local officials and environmental groups. The order, which extends the plant's operation through March 2026, has sparked debate over energy policy, costs, and environmental impact, with some arguing it contradicts Colorado's clean energy goals and reliability assessments.
The article discusses whether Donald Trump can revitalize the American coal industry amidst ongoing debates about energy policy and climate change, highlighting the challenges and political implications involved.
Federal officials ordered two Indiana coal power plants to remain operational for 90 days to ensure regional power stability, amid efforts by the Trump administration to support the coal industry, despite ongoing shifts towards renewable energy and environmental concerns.