Coal - Coal Utilization

Almost everyone agrees that coal and oil shale are the only fossil fuel resources in which the United States is self-sufficient. Of the two, only coal has a technology sufficiently developed to be of intermediate term benefit. Since it takes at least 20 years to bring advanced technology into practice, it seems logical that the major focus on energy developments should be aimed at coal. Meanwhile, we need to trade-off between actions to meet our immediate needs and the various political regulations and social demands that are disrupting the coal industry and the industries dependent upon it. The largest single user of coal is the electric power generation industry. Over 300 million tons of coal are presently being consumed each year. In view of the 5-to 7-years lead time to bring in a base-load fossil-fuel fired generating station, our requirements for double this tonnage in 1980 are already well forecast; that is, if the coal companies are allowed to mine and the utilities are allowed to burn the coal.