Coal-Fired Power Plants

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the environmental problems that occur due to emissions from coal-fired power plants. The paper focuses on the older power plants in the Great Lakes region. The paper discusses the problem and explores solutions to rectify the situation. The paper contends that, despite pollution issues, there are many reasons to support coal-fired power plants, and therefore, the most promising solution involves tighter regulation of coal-fired power plants, particularly reducing the pollution caused by older plants, such as those in the Great Lakes area.

From the Paper:

"Out of the entire electric industry, coal-fired power plants contribute 96% of sulfur dioxide emissions, 93% of nitrogen oxide emissions, 88% of carbon dioxide emissions, and 99% of mercury emissions (Dirty coal power). Today, there are fish consumption advisories for mercury contamination in 45 states and 20% of American women of childbearing age have levels of mercury that exceed what is considered safe for a fetus (Mercury from coal-fired power plants). Coal-fired power plants is responsible for over 90% of mercury contamination in the Great Lakes (Gluckman, 2004) Further, EPA studies reveal that air pollution from coal-fired power plants triggers asthma attacks, bronchitis, and heart disease, and contributes to about 30,000 premature deaths a year (New source review/ coal-fired power plants)."

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