C+Block+-+Coal



Coal is a cheap, reliable source of energy, and the power from coal plants amounts to around 52% of the electricity in the united states. Coal annually benefits the country an average of 1 trillion dollars, $36 billion in household income and 7 million jobs. The use of coal in the U.S. reduces the U.S. from depending on foreign fuel.

There are many drawbacks of coal. One of the drawbacks is that coal mining is destroying mountains- mining companies actually blow off the top of in order to reach the coal. The companies also dump what they cannot use- such as rubble and toxic waste- into streams and valleys below the mining site. Another drawback of coal is that coal burning responsible for about one third of of US carbon emissions. Burning coal also releases toxic mercury, which rains down on lakes and streams. In the United States, coal plants also produce about 140 million tons of ash pollution, which is toxic.


 * - - - - - -COAL IN PILES AT A MINING SITE. **


 * - - - - - -COAL FORMATION DIAGRAM. **



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 * - - - - - -CO **** AL MINING DIAGRAM. **
 * - - - - - -COAL EMISSIONS DIAGRAM. **

Map of coal fired power plants in New Mexico Coal is used to generate electricity. Coal accounts for about half the electricity generated in the United States. Coal is also used in the production of steel. Coal is also in benzene, which is in nylon, motor fuel, and synthetic fibers, tuolene,which is in some nail polishes, pitch,which is in roofing,paving,and electrodes. Coal is also in some exposives,herbicides,pesticides,and insecticides. Coal has also been used to fuel trains;in most places it has been replaced by diesel engines.

- - - - - - Uses in New Mexico:
In New Mexico, coal is used for energy and is economically important.There has been coal mining in New Mexico since the 1850's. Coal is economically important to the state and is one of the largest sources of revenue from minerals and energy production. There are currently four active coal fired power plants in the state: San Juan Generating Station,Four Corners Steam Plant,Escalante Generating Station,and Raton Power Plant. In 2010, there were 4 coal mines in New Mexico:Lee Ranch, San Juan,Navajo,and El Segundo. Beyond Coal home | Beyond Coal. (n.d.). Sierra Club National | Explore, enjoy and protect the planet!. Retrieved December 14, 2012, from http://content.sierraclub.org/coal

Energy and You | Clean Energy | US EPA.US Environmental Protection Agency . N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2012. .

Uses For Coal.Wyoming State Geological Survey . N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2012. .

Uses of Coal.Cape Breton Miner's Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2012. .

"NMBGMR - Natural Resources Research: Coal." New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2012. .

Trisko, E. M. (n.d.). Economic and Public Health Benefits of Coal-Based Energy | NCPA. Free-Market Public Policy | National Center for Policy Analysis | NCPA. Retrieved December 17, 2012, from http://www.ncpa.org/pub/ba573

Lerche, J., & Media, D. (n.d.). Positives & Negatives of Coal Energy Sources | National Geographic. Green Living | National Geographic. Retrieved December 17, 2012, from http://greenliving.nationalgeographic.com/positives-negatives-coal-energy-sources-2554.html