coal plants
Newsletter
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Coal workers feel abandoned as coal plants close in Pennsylvania
Residents of Indiana County, Pennsylvania, are expressing frustration over the loss of jobs and support as the coal industry declines.
In short:
- The Biden administration promises support for communities transitioning away from fossil fuels, but residents feel neglected.
- Many locals, skeptical of the administration's efforts, support Trump, hoping he will revive the coal industry.
- The closure of the Homer City Generating Station has economically impacted the area, prompting discussions on future redevelopment.
Key quote:
“I come from a coal family and an energy community, and part of what has happened is people feel left behind. They feel forgotten.”
— Brian Anderson, the executive director of President Biden's Interagency Working Group
Why this matters:
The push for cleaner energy sources is driving the decline of coal, as the world grapples with the urgent need to address climate change. This shift is undeniably beneficial for the planet, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. However, for the residents of Indiana County, the benefits are abstract and distant, while the costs are immediate and personal.
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Credit: Maxim Tolchinskiy/Unsplash
G7 nations agree to phase out coal usage by the mid-2030s
Energy ministers from the G7 are set to endorse an agreement to cease coal use in power generation by the mid-2030s, with potential exceptions for Germany and Japan.
In short:
- The G7 commitment targets the elimination of coal-fired power plants by the early 2030s, yet allows flexibility for member states under certain conditions.
- Germany and Japan may continue using coal beyond the general deadline due to their significant reliance on coal power.
- The decision aligns with global efforts from last year's COP28 summit, aiming to reduce the most harmful fossil fuel emissions.
Key quote:
"We are working on it, I cannot go any further... if there is a final decision I will communicate it,"
— Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Italian Energy Minister
Why this matters:
The agreement, expected to be formally endorsed soon, signals a strong commitment from some of the world's largest economies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition away from fossil fuels, which are major contributors to climate change. The decision aligns with scientific calls to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels—a target that requires drastic reductions in carbon emissions.
Related EHN coverage: Swapping out coal energy for solar would prevent 52,000 premature deaths in the United States every year.
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Newsletter
Credit: Jonathan Hammond/Pixabay
Internet data centers are driving the resurgence of coal power
Surging energy demands from a hub of global internet traffic are precipitating a shift back to coal power, impacting communities and energy policies across four states.
In short:
- Massive data centers in Northern Virginia are causing increased demand for electricity, leading to proposals for expanding coal power usage and transmission lines.
- This development challenges clean energy initiatives, with coal plants originally set to shut down being kept operational to meet energy demands.
- Local residents express concerns over environmental and aesthetic impacts, feeling marginalized by decisions that favor industry needs over local well-being.
Key quote:
"It's not right. These power lines? They're not for me and my family. I didn't vote on this. And the data centers? That's not in West Virginia. That's a whole different state."
— Mary Gee, local resident
Why this matters:
Internet data centers require vast amounts of electricity to power servers, cooling systems, and other infrastructure. As more data is generated and accessed online, the energy demand of these centers skyrockets, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-based power sources.
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Credit: Valeriy Kryukov/Unsplash
Balancing sustainability and economic needs in Southeast Asia's energy transition
Indonesia and Vietnam face the intricate task of aligning their green aspirations and financial strategies with the existing commitment to numerous coal-powered energy projects.
In short:
- Indonesia and Vietnam are struggling to align their sustainable energy goals with the economic implications of phasing out coal plants.
- Financial aid through the Just Energy Transition Partnership is pivotal, but the effective application of these funds remains a complex task.
- The existing and planned coal power infrastructure in these countries complicates their ambitious renewable energy targets.
Key quote:
"Energy transition is a matter of public interest. JETP is one of the initiatives within Indonesia's broader energy transition efforts. Therefore, we would like the public to have access to the draft before it is finalized in the hopes that we may receive as much input as possible."
— Edo Mahendra, Indonesia's JETP Secretariat head
Visit EHN's energy section for more top news about energy, climate, and health.
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‘Absolutely perverse’: Climate scheme could reward Australian coalmines whose emissions rise
Ten coalmines could increase their greenhouse gas pollution until 2030 while being financially rewarded under an Albanese government climate policy that is meant to cut industrial emissions, according to a new analysis.
Image by Stefan Kuhn from Pixabay
Experts see red over Indonesia’s planned green investment label for coal plants
Mongabay journalist Hans Nicholas Jong reports that Indonesia’s move to categorize coal-fired power plants for industry as sustainable has sparked criticism from energy and finance observers, who say it goes against the scientific evidence.
In a nutshell:
Indonesia's proposal to classify coal-fired power plants for industry as sustainable under its Green Taxonomy, if implemented, would mark a unique departure globally, as no other green finance taxonomy recognizes coal power as environmentally friendly. Critics fear that this "green labeling" of coal could encourage banks to fund coal-related projects, hindering efforts to transition away from fossil fuels. Additionally, foreign investors may be hesitant to engage in Indonesia's coal sector, impacting the nation's access to green financing and raising transaction costs for due diligence.
Key quote:
“It is extremely concerning that now, new coal-powered generation could be seen as protecting or improving the environment,” Christina Ng and Putra Adhiguna, researchers at the U.S.-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, wrote in a commentary. “This simply goes against scientific evidence.”
The big picture:
The continued burning of fossil fuels, especially coal, has significant health implications. It releases harmful pollutants such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, leading to poor air quality. Prolonged exposure to these pollutants is linked to respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis, cardiovascular issues, and even premature death. Coal combustion also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change, which in turn can indirectly impact public health through extreme weather events and the spread of vector-borne diseases. Addressing the health effects of coal burning remains a critical concern in the broader context of environmental and public health policy.
Read the Mongabay article.
Brian Bienkowski reported that swapping out coal energy for solar would prevent 52,000 premature deaths in the United States every year.
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Newsletter
Kentucky Senate votes to preserve aging coal-fired power plants
The Kentucky Senate approved a bill that would make it harder for utilities to retire coal-fired power plants. The utility industry says it will raise costs for ratepayers.
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