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Hit pause on everything you think you know about coal.

A global transition to renewable forms of energy is well underway, but are we moving too fast to a future filled with unknown compromises? What are the consequences of rushing to renewables?

No other natural resource has enabled our survival, prosperity, and innovation quite like coal. Yet recently, a new narrative has taken hold. The idea that our world would be a better place without coal is obscuring the truths and realities of renewable energy and overlooking the many benefits that coal can continue to bring to society moving forward, including potential innovative new uses that may surprise you.

When it comes to coal, this vital natural resource is still one of the most abundant, affordable, and dispatchable forms of energy in the world. It’s also a critical ingredient in the manufacturing of thousands of products essential to society’s infrastructure and our everyday lives. The case for coal requires careful consideration and thoughtful analysis. Please don’t be kept in the dark about what keeps you in the light.

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Coal doesn’t bring any benefits to society today.

Not So Fast

Coal is one of the most abundant sources of electricity worldwide. ^[9] Deprived of coal as a major source of affordable electricity, developing countries will struggle to rise out of poverty and improve their quality of life.^[10]

There are no risks associated with transitioning to renewable energy in the United States.

Not So Fast

The risks are substantial, especially if we transition too fast. Fossil fuel power plants are retiring much faster than new dispatchable, reliable sources are being developed.^[5] This could lead to energy supply shortages, even rolling blackouts.^[6]

We should replace all fossil fuels with renewable energy immediately.

Not So Fast

Due to their unpredictable nature, wind and solar power are unlikely to become the reliable and “always available” energy sources required for modern life any time soon.^[1] ^[2]

Renewable energy technologies are carbon-free.

Not So Fast

To build the massive infrastructure needed for renewable power generation, an enormous amount of materials and energy will be required. For example, one megawatt of onshore wind capacity requires hundreds of tons of steel and concrete, translating to hundreds of tons of coal.^[3] ^[4]

There’s no reason we should be using fossil fuels today or in the future.

Not So Fast

Most manufactured products we touch in our everyday lives are created with derivatives of fossil fuels, such as coal. Steel, cement, certain medicines, water filtration, fertilizers, and many other products we take for granted often rely on coal at some point in the manufacturing process.^[7] ^[8]

As the energy industry continues to invest in renewable sources of power, the use of fossil fuels dramatically drops.

Not So Fast

Over the last two decades, the overall use of fossil fuels around the world has increased by roughly 41%, with the use of coal increasing by approximately 55%. ^[13]

The transition to renewable energy can be accomplished with little impact to the environment.

Not So Fast

To reach goals for renewable energy use, the IEA is estimating the supply of nickel, graphite, and lithium will need to increase by 1900%, 2500%, and 4200% respectively. ^[11] This will require an enormous increase in mining and industrial activity, as well as large amounts of fossil fuels to extract, process, and transport these materials.

A transition to renewable energy will strengthen our national security and promote our energy independence.

Not So Fast

An electrical grid powered solely by renewable energy will significantly increase our dependence on foreign nations, many of them with lower workplace safety and environmental standards. For instance, China controls roughly 90% of the market for refining rare earth elements, which are critical to the production of EV motors and wind turbines.^[12]

Myths About Coal

CHECK THE FACTS

REALITY #1

National Coal Council: Coal=Reliable Energy
Fraser Institute: Renewable Energy Can’t Replace Fossil Fuels

REALITY #2

U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Renewable Energy Materials Properties Database: Summary (August 2023) (Figure 3, page 8. Steel is 9% of material for 1 MW of land based wind, or 108 metric tonnes. Concrete is 34% of material for 1 MW, or 408 metric tonnes).
Gulhan Ozbayoglu, Comprehensive Energy Systems: Energy Production from Coal (2018) 788-821. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-809597-3.00341-2. (Chapter 3.19.1.1.2, page 791. 0.77 tonne of coal per tonne of steel translates to 83 tonnes of coal in steel per MW of onshore wind capacity. Chapter 3.19.1.1.3, page 792. 0.2 – 0.45 tonne of coal per tonne of cement translates to 82 – 184 tonnes of coal per MW of onshore wind capacity. Total tonnes of coal per MW of onshore wind capacity = 165-266 tonnes of coal)

REALITY #3

PJM: Energy Transition in PJM: Resource Retirements, Replacements & Risks (Pages 5 & 6)
North American Electric Reliability Corporation: 2022 Long-Term Reliability Assessment (Page 9)

REALITY #4

World Coal Association: Other Uses of Coal
Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration: Coal’s Importance to the World

REALITY #5

Energy Institute: Statistical Review of World Energy 2023 (Page 53)
See World Coal Association: Coal–Energy for Sustainable Development
United Nations: Human Development Reports: Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2022: Unpacking Deprivation Bundles to Reduce Multidimensional Poverty (Pages 2, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 23)

REALITY #6

IEA: The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions, 3.0 Mineral requirements for clean energy transitions

REALITY #7

IEA: The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions

REALITY #8

Energy Institute: Statistical Review of World Energy 2023. Based on data provided for consumption of Coal, Oil, Natural Gas.

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Hit pause on everything you think you know about coal.

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