Michael Babcock

ENGL 1102
3/31/2014
First draft

Climate Change: Coal Power?

I am currently working on a senior project that is improving the operation of a Flue Gas
Desulfurization (FGD) system. An FGD system connects to the back end of a coal power plant
and reduces the sulfur emissions by 99%. When I heard about new EPA regulations coming
down that would effectively ban new construction on coal power plants, I realized that I dont
know much about the issue of climate change and how it will effect our lives in the future. The
focus of my inquiry into the climate change debate centers on the role of coal power and where it
fits in our energy future. I found many perspectives but was able to narrow them into three major
groups. The first group consists of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and
environmental activists who believe that we must do everything we can and more to reduce our
impact and conserve the environment. The next group consists of power industry companies
and people with an interest in the coal industry that is being regulated out of existence.
Obviously, both of these sides have a large stake in the discussion and will come with biases.
The final group I would like to discuss is the academics and researchers who are studying the
facts underlying the issues and speaking on what they are finding.

The EPAs stated mission is to protect human health and the environment (EPA, 1).
Based on the available data they have concluded that the emissions caused by humans are the
deciding factor and underlying cause of the climate change trends we are seeing today. They
present evidence of climate change such as melting glaciers, rising sea level, changes in weather
patterns, and acidification of the oceans (EPA, 2). Its not hard to surmise that the environment is
their chief concern and that this influences everything they work toward. Ultimately, they
conclude that humans are the main cause of climate change and we must be stopped.

The other group with a large investment in this discussion is the companies and industry
professionals who focus on the economic concerns surrounding coal power. Currently, coal is the
source of about 40% of our power, which makes it the largest contributor to our energy supply
(EPRI). Obviously, major changes in regulations affecting coal power will also have major
consequences for the economy and our energy security. This voice from the industry argues that
an attempt to change too rapidly on the scale of the power industry will result in huge economic
damage and back us into a corner that threatens our security and the availability of energy.

The final voice consists of researchers and academic groups that are researching the
technology and facts of the issue. The ones I will focus on advocate that energy, and how we get
it, is one of the most important issues of our time because everything in our society depends on
the availability and affordability of energy (Switch). Dr. Tinker further asserts that one of the
largest driving factors is the scale of energy demand and notes that individual consumers are a
direct part of that (Switch). Ultimately, Dr. Tinker concludes that our energy security must drive
a reasoned balanced policy to avoid facing the looming consequences.








"Climate Change Science Facts." EPA.gov. Environmental Protection Agency, Apr. 2010. Web.
15 Mar. 2014.
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/downloads/Climate_Change_Science_Facts.pdf

EPRI; http://sites.epri.com/refcard/city.html

Patel, Sonal. "CCS Is Not Yet Adequately Demonstrated, Say Industry Leaders." 13 March 2014.
Powermag.com. 18 March 2014.

Butcher, Charles. "Europe Faces Capacity and Cost Challenges in 2014." Powermag.com. Power
Magazine, 1 J an. 2014. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.