Coal regulations 21st-century fossil fuel regulations in the United States

1 coal regulations

1.1 concerns , related regulations

1.1.1 pollution stationary sources
1.1.2 controversies

coal regulations

along other fossil fuels, coal major energy resource u.s. of energy supplied coal production consumed electric power sector. due competition renewable energy , natural gas, coal production has been declining since 2008. u.s. occupies 5 major basins or regions coal produced. u.s. energy information administration released coal production data of 2016 in january, reporting 17% decrease 2015 levels. coal projected remain key energy resource, regulations concerning environmental pollution increase.

concerns , related regulations
pollution stationary sources

the environmental protection administration monitors , controls emissions coal-fired power plants ensure public health , air quality. coal production , consumption generates various environmental impacts such release of greenhouse gases. there around 1,100 major electric power plants, subject new source review (nsr) , prevention of significant deterioration (psd). emissions these plants have largest contributions of sulfur dioxide (so2) , nitrogen oxides (nox) atmosphere. facilities in electric sector restricted emission standards defined clean air act (united states).

a coal fired power plant

while monitoring , controlling environmental releases of plants has been difficult, epa has been enforcing policies regarding air quality on last decade under president barack obama. while clean air act postulates regulations , rules limiting emissions of greenhouse gases, other laws concerned standards of power plants , initiatives enforce these laws have been formed. impacts of mining diverse , have possible negative effects humans , biosphere. among these acid mine drainage, subsidence , mine workers health risks, prevent there regulations regarding mining practices strip mining. though regulations seek address environmental impacts, not provide remedy social , health disparities created exposure emissions electric power plants.

methods of extraction have developed on last decade make coal extraction more efficient. more advanced technologies, environmental burdens become larger increased emissions of particulate matter , acid rain deposition linked coal mining.

controversies

with administration of president donald trump, environmental regulations concerning coal mining set eased. executive order proposed in february 2017 reverse stream protection rule aims @ protecting nearby waters surface mining debris. trump s support move comes interest in fossil fuel industry , incentive reactivate coal industry in us, has been on consistent decline competition of renewables , natural gas. repeal of president obama s stream protection rule possibly endanger species polluting ecosystems , thereby harming biodiversity. ecological effects of coal mining include contamination of water, destruction of habitats, leaching, soil erosion , subsidence.

a coal miner

further, on march 28, 2017, trump signed executive order rewrite president barack obama s clean power plan. of incentive driven expanding workforce in coal industry, still undetermined how take affect. continued trends in repealing past rules , regulations regarding climate change under trump administration, commitment paris climate agreement held @ 2015 united nations climate change conference under question. uncertainty development of debate sparks global controversy , unclarity in reactions , future prognoses of climate , environmental politics. while international concerns expressed, economists not think proposed repeals have effect. demand coal on national market has been declining , still low, changes pollution standards , greenhouse gas emissions not change market drastically.