The Cost of Coal: Climate Change and the End of Coal as a Source of "cheap" Electricity

Coal is the dominant source of electric power in the United States, providing nearly 50 percent of all electricity in the country. In comparison, the other major sources of electricity – natural gas and nuclear power – supply only about 20 percent each of the country’s electricity, and renewable energy sources account for less than 10 percent. Until recently, it appeared that coal would retain its superior position over these other electricity sources, despite decades of environmental regulation aimed at controlling the environmental harm caused by coal mining and combustion, because coal remained the cheapest source of electricity. However, the specter of climate change legislation may threaten coal’s supremacy. Coalpowered electricity is the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions