Coal Power

The typical coal plant in the United States creates more than 125,000 tons of ash and 193,000 tons of sludge each year. On average, 42% of coal combustion waste ponds and landfills are unlined. This means that the substances in the waste can seep into the ground and nearby lakes. Some of the substances include arsenic, mercury, chromium, and cadmium. These can contaminate drinking water supplies and come in direct contact with the consumers who drink water from these areas.

The disposal of coal plant waste has damaged many ecosystems. Once the coal plants have cycled through billions of gallons of water to cool the system, it is dumped back into the river, ocean, or lake it is pulling water from. When this hot water is released back into the body of water, it creates “thermal pollution,” and this can cause harm to the plants and animals living in this area. Many plants add chemicals to their cooling water, so this is released back into the lake, ocean, or river with the hot water.

This article focuses on the various impacts that producing power with coal can have on the environment. Which answer choice(s) list a NEGATIVE example of how coal affects the environment?

The top resources used for fuel and energy in 2019 were coal, natural gas, and petroleum gas. These are resources that are mined from the Earth and nonrenewable. What type of effect would there be on the environment if people switched to renewable resources like wind, water, and solar power?

Based on the graph below from the Energy Information Administration, if the US population wanted to reduce coal consumption which area would potentially have the greatest positive impact?

Which answer choice is a negative effect that coal has on the environment?

Coal Power

The typical coal plant in the United States creates more than 125,000 tons of ash and 193,000 tons of sludge each year. On average, 42% of coal combustion waste ponds and landfills are unlined. This means that the substances in the waste can seep into the ground and nearby lakes. Some of the substances include arsenic, mercury, chromium, and cadmium. These can contaminate drinking water supplies and come in direct contact with the consumers who drink water from these areas.

The disposal of coal plant waste has damaged many ecosystems. Once the coal plants have cycled through billions of gallons of water to cool the system, it is dumped back into the river, ocean, or lake it is pulling water from. When this hot water is released back into the body of water, it creates “thermal pollution,” and this can cause harm to the plants and animals living in this area. Many plants add chemicals to their cooling water, so this is released back into the lake, ocean, or river with the hot water.

Based on the information from this article, which part of the environment is affected by coal power plants?

The top resources used for fuel and energy in 2019 were coal, natural gas, and petroleum gas. These are resources that are mined from the Earth and nonrenewable. What type of effect could this have on the environment?

True or False: Fossil fuels primarily have positive impacts on the environment.

To use fossil fuels, they must be mined from the Earth and then burned to create a chemical reaction. What type of effect on the environment may there be from burning fossil fuels?

Based on the graph below, which fossil fuel is currently on a decline in usage?

Which answer choice is a negative effect on the environment caused by wind energy?