Coal plant cleanup: Managing the aftermath of dirty forms of energy

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Coal plant cleanup: Managing the aftermath of dirty forms of energy

Coal plant cleanup: Managing the aftermath of dirty forms of energy

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Coal plant cleanup is an expensive and essential process to protect workers' health and the environment.
    • Author:
    • Author name
      Quantumrun Foresight
    • May 6, 2022

    Insight summary

    The alarming health risks associated with coal ash and emissions from coal power plants, ranging from short-term ailments to long-term organ damage, have ignited a pressing need for cleaner energy solutions. Cleaning up coal power plants through carbon-capture technologies and efficiency enhancements can lead to significant improvements in community well-being and environmental health. The broader implications of this shift include the emergence of specialist startups, increased investments in renewable energy, and modernized energy infrastructures.

    Coal plant cleanup context

    Coal ash, the residue left behind when coal is burnt, contains several harmful chemicals. Short-term exposure to coal ash can cause shortness of breath, dizziness, and vomiting. In contrast, long-term exposure can harm every primary organ in the body and has been related to birth abnormalities, nervous system disorders, and malignancies. To prevent these dangerous health outcomes among workers and local populations, coal plant operations need to be updated to prioritize worker, citizen, and environmental health.

    According to data published in October 2020 by the Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter, US power company Vistra's Martin Lake coal plant ranks first for harmful mercury emissions and third for fatal sulfur dioxide pollution in the US. By the end of 2021, it continued to release millions of tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. As of 2020, the Labadie coal power plant operated by US energy company Ameren in the St. Louis suburbs is the country's largest coal plant without a scrubber—which is necessary for reducing sulfur dioxide emissions. The factory has had a health impact on the local city's population. 

    Smokestack mercury emitted by coal power plants can become deposited on streams and water sources, contaminating fish and local wildlife, and polluting critical water sources. Pregnant women who are exposed to such contaminated water sources are at a higher risk of giving birth to children with physical abnormalities, developmental delays, and cognitive problems. Furthermore, the sulfur dioxide emitted by these power plants can cause breathing difficulties, especially in asthmatic children. Even populations hundreds of miles away from these facilities are at risk of heart disease and asthma due to the toxic elements emitted by these facilities into the air.

    Unfortunately, some coal plant operators have prioritized limiting or undermining clean air and water regulations via litigation and lobbying rather than upgrading their facilities to limit toxic emissions. Even as some coal power plants close, rising demands for energy make it more difficult for operators or governments to close some of these facilities due to the economic factors at play.

    Disruptive impact

    Cleaning up coal power plants by adding carbon-capture technologies and enhancing system efficiency could lead to substantial improvements in the well-being of both workers and local communities. By reducing harmful emissions, these measures can create a cleaner environment and mitigate health risks. Additionally, coal power plants identified as major polluters might be subject to closure through the enactment of laws that empower government agencies to close facilities if they fail to meet specific standards. 

    However, the closure of coal power plants or these facilities being decommissioned could lead to thousands of energy sector workers losing their jobs. These workers may also require reskilling to find employment elsewhere, ideally within the clean energy industry. Instead of losing their jobs, coal power plant workers could be employed as part of the decommissioning team, with the de-construction of coal power plants a lengthy and costly process in itself. 

    Communities near decommissioned coal power plants could benefit from improved healthcare outcomes as their local environment may become less polluted and their air quality enhanced. Money spent on healthcare could be redirected to other social programs, while energy companies may draw closer to reaching carbon emission reduction targets. Governments could provide additional funding to assist coal power companies and local communities in decommissioning coal power plants.

    Implications of coal plant cleanup

    Wider implications of coal plants cleanups may include:

    • Coal power companies increasingly pivoting their investments toward the renewable energy industry to replace their fossil fuel-based energy business, leading to a shift in energy portfolios and a reduction in reliance on non-renewable resources.
    • Specialist startups being launched that employ the latest technologies to clean up coal power plants, leading to the creation of new job opportunities and the development of cleaner energy solutions within the industry.
    • Federal and state/provincial governments directing additional funds into energy infrastructure modernization programs that can better accommodate renewable energy, leading to enhanced energy efficiency and the potential to meet future energy demands in a more sustainable manner.
    • Incremental health improvements at a population scale which can result in improved wealth and productivity metrics in affected cities and states/provinces, leading to a higher quality of life and potential economic growth in regions previously impacted by pollution.
    • The transition from coal to cleaner energy sources leading to potential job losses in traditional coal mining and power plant operations, requiring retraining and support for displaced workers.
    • A shift in political focus towards environmental regulations and policies that prioritize renewable energy, leading to potential conflicts with traditional energy sectors and influencing future energy policy decisions.
    • The development of new technologies for carbon capture and efficiency in coal power plants leading to the emergence of new markets and opportunities for technological advancement within the energy sector.
    • A potential increase in energy costs during the transitional phase from coal to renewable energy, leading to economic challenges for both consumers and businesses, particularly in regions heavily reliant on coal.
    • The closure of major polluting coal plants leading to demographic shifts as communities adapt to changes in local industry, potentially affecting housing markets and local economies.

    Questions to consider

    • To what degree should energy companies fund the decommissioning of their coal power plants if evidence proves that they have damaged their local environment?
    • What are the critical factors delaying the decommissioning of the world's coal power plants? 

    Insight references

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