The United States has officially expressed its dedication to the global initiative of phasing out coal power plants, joining forces with 56 other nations to combat the significant impact coal has on global warming.
In a recent announcement, U.S. Special Envoy John Kerry revealed that the Biden Administration has committed to joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance. As part of this commitment, the United States pledges to refrain from constructing new coal plants and gradually eliminate existing ones.
Although no specific timeline was provided for the complete removal of existing coal plants, the Biden Administration’s previous regulatory measures and existing international agreements already set the course for phasing out coal by 2035.
“Our objective is to expedite the global abandonment of unfiltered coal, thereby fostering stronger economies and more resilient communities,” stated Kerry. “The first crucial step is to refrain from exacerbating the problem by ceasing the construction of new unfiltered coal power plants.”
Natural gas and renewable energy options have become increasingly more cost-effective than traditional coal power, leading to the closure of numerous coal plants across the United States. Considering this shift, climate analyst Alden Meyer from the European think-tank E3G affirms that coal retirement was already expected by the end of this decade.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, coal currently contributes to just under 20% of the national electricity generation as of October. This figure highlights a significant decline compared to 2008 when the amount of coal burned was more than double what it is now.
Coal and its Environmental Impact
Coal, a widely used source of energy, has long been associated with environmental concerns due to its significant carbon dioxide emissions. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, coal produces approximately 211 pounds (96 kilograms) of heat-trapping carbon dioxide per million BTUs of energy produced. In comparison, natural gas emits about 117 pounds (53 kilograms), while gasoline emits around 156 pounds (71 kilograms) of carbon dioxide for the same energy output.
The Global Push for Change
Recognizing the environmental repercussions of coal, the United States has been urging other nations, particularly China and India, who have been rapidly constructing new coal plants, to shift away from this fuel. The detrimental carbon emissions associated with coal make it a less desirable option compared to other power systems.
A Concrete Step towards Sustainability
In an encouraging move towards combating climate change, the United States, along with six other nations, officially joined the Powering Past Coal Alliance on Saturday. This alliance, which originally comprised 50 countries, was established six years ago to address the challenges posed by coal consumption. The recent additions to the alliance include countries like the Czech Republic and the Dominican Republic.
By participating in this alliance, countries demonstrate their commitment to transitioning towards cleaner and more socially just energy sectors. Kosovo’s Minister of Environment, Artane Rizvanolli, emphasized the importance of strong cooperation and support in this energy transition process and stated that joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance reaffirms Kosovo’s dedication to a sustainable future.
This recent development sends a powerful message internationally, signifying that the United States is not only advocating for change but also taking tangible steps to address the issue at hand.
