Fuel for the Future
Since 1970, electricity from coal has become increasingly clean, and we have the technologies to make electricity from coal even cleaner in the future. One way this new technology is developing is through the Clean Coal Technology Program.

Industry, together with the U.S. Department of Energy, has developed this innovative partnership to demonstrate and move to market effective technologies to improve the efficiency and reduce the emissions of electricity generation from coal. Thirty-eight coal technology projects have occurred between 1976 and 1993. These projects have included technologies that control SO2 and NOX emissions, process coal for clean fuels, and advanced electric power generation. Importantly, this program is already having an impact.

• One example is low NOX burner technology, which is now on or being installed on 75% of the U.S. power plants that use coal. This technology helped utilities comply with stricter January 2000 Clean Air Act emission NOX requirements.

  Source: U.S. Department of Energy Fossil Energy web site

As the largest source of electricity in the U.S., electricity from coal plays a crucial role in today's energy mix. And, electricity from coal must continue to play an important part in our nation's future energy supply. The U.S. will face increasing demands for abundant and affordable sources of electricity, and electricity from coal can meet these needs.