O Coal is a ready-made fuel and is the leading energy source. O It is cheap and affordable to convert to energy, to buy, to transport and to mine. O It provides a lot of energy when burned and is reliable. O Coal supplies will last longer than oil or gas.
Of all American energy sources, coal certainly has a plethora of benefits, as well as a variety of drawbacks as well. Coal, like said previously provides 52% of all American electricity. It is low cost, and plays the part of a reliable energy source to our economy. It is used for paper production, cement and ceramic manufacture, iron and steel production, cosmetic production, and chemical manufacture for heating and steam generation.
Coal is primarily used to provide electricity in coal burning power stations. All the uses for electricity will be the same uses for coal as coal produces electricity.
The main benefit of coal is that it is common. It comes with a few drawbacks though. It produces a lot of soot and CO2 ( a greenhouse gas) when burned, and it leaves behind ash (pollutant) after burned as well. Another problem is the transportation costs associated with coal mining.
