The United States committed Saturday to the idea of phasing out coal power plants, joining 56 other nations in kicking the coal habit that’s a huge factor in global warming. U.S. Special Envoy John Kerry announced that America was joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance, which means the Biden Administration commits to building no new coal plants and phasing out existing plants. No date was given for when the existing plants would have to go, but other Biden regulatory actions and international commitments already in the works had meant no coal by 2035.
Quick Read
- U.S. Commitment to Phase Out Coal: The United States, under the Biden Administration, committed to phasing out coal power plants, joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance with 56 other nations.
- John Kerry’s Announcement: U.S. Special Envoy John Kerry announced the commitment, which includes not building new coal plants and phasing out existing ones. No specific deadline for the phase-out of existing plants was provided.
- Coal by 2035: Existing Biden regulatory actions and international commitments implied a target of no coal use in the U.S. by 2035.
- Economic Factors in Coal Decline: The decline in coal usage in the U.S. is attributed to economic factors, with natural gas and renewable energy being cheaper options.
- Current U.S. Coal Usage: As of October, coal accounts for just under 20% of U.S. electricity, significantly less than in 2008.
- Environmental Impact of Coal: Coal is a major contributor to carbon emissions, producing more heat-trapping carbon dioxide per unit of energy than natural gas and gasoline.
- Global Push Against Coal: The U.S. has been encouraging other nations, particularly coal-heavy countries like China and India, to eliminate coal usage due to its high carbon emissions.
- International Signal: The U.S. joining the alliance sends a strong signal internationally about its commitment to combatting climate change.
- Expansion of the Powering Past Coal Alliance: With the addition of the United States and six other countries, the alliance now includes 57 nations. New members also include the Czech Republic and the Dominican Republic.
- Kosovo’s Stance on Energy Transition: Kosovo’s environment minister Artane Rizvanolli emphasized the challenges of energy transition and Kosovo’s commitment to a clean energy sector by joining the alliance.
The Associated Press has the story:
COP28: US joins in other nations in swearing off coal power to clean climate
Newslooks- DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)
The United States committed Saturday to the idea of phasing out coal power plants, joining 56 other nations in kicking the coal habit that’s a huge factor in global warming.
U.S. Special Envoy John Kerry announced that America was joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance, which means the Biden Administration commits to building no new coal plants and phasing out existing plants. No date was given for when the existing plants would have to go, but other Biden regulatory actions and international commitments already in the works had meant no coal by 2035.
“We will be working to accelerate unabated coal phase-out across the world, building stronger economies and more resilient communities,” Kerry said in a statement. “The first step is to stop making the problem worse: stop building new unabated coal power plants.”
Coal power plants have already been shutting down across the nation due to economics, and no new coal facilities were in the works, so “we were heading to retiring coal by the end of the decade anyway,” said climate analyst Alden Meyer of the European think-tank E3G. That’s because natural gas and renewable energy are cheaper, so it was market forces, he said.
As of October, just under 20% of the U.S. electricity is powered by coal, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The amount of coal burned in the United States last year is less than half what it was in 2008.
Coal produces about 211 pounds (96 kilograms) of heat-trapping carbon dioxide per million BTUs of energy produced, compared to natural gas which produces about 117 pounds (53 kilograms) and gasoline which is about 156 pounds (71 kilograms), according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The U.S. had been pushing other nations, especially China and India which are building new coal plants pell-mell, to get rid of the fuel, which causes more heat-trapping carbon emissions than other power systems.
Saturday’s action “sends a pretty powerful international signal that the U.S. is putting its money where its mouth is,” Meyer said.
The Powering Past Coal Alliance started six years ago and had 50 country members until Saturday when the United States and six others joined, said alliance spokeswoman Anna Drazkiewicz. Others joining Saturday include the Czech Republic and the Dominican Republic.
“Energy transition is not an easy task and as such requires strong cooperation and support,” said Kosovo environment minister Artane Rizvanolli. “Joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance reiterates Kosovo’s clear commitment and ongoing efforts towards a socially just and clean energy sector.”
