Coal reserves pose key challenge
POSTED: May 9, 2008
Most Americans probably have heard the estimate that the United States has enough coal to meet our energy needs for another 250 years.
But the National Research Council, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, cannot confirm that. The council has conducted research on coal reserves and has concluded, according to a recent report, that “there is enough coal at current rates of consumption to meet anticipated needs through 2030, and probably enough for 100 years. However, it is not possible to confirm the oft-quoted assertion that there is a sufficient supply for the next 250 years.”
Obviously, that gap of a century and a half is important to Americans. More needs to be known about U.S. coal reserves — about their quality and the difficulty of extracting them.
The council is seeking additional federal funding to investigate and determine an answer to those questions. Congress should provide the money.
Member Comments
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Patrick
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05-10-08 8:46 AM
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More should be done with renewable sources, instead of coal...We should put that money towards tapping the Sun's great energy....where all can profit, instead of a few...We already know the ruin extracting coal does to the earth..and it is only getting harder to find, just like oil...then there is the pollution...So why waste time and Tax money on things we already know?... time for something new not old!
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