Why coal powered plants?
Most common power plants in the US are powered by coals. The reason coals are used is because it is cheap and the supply are more stable compared to natural gas or oil. Water are boiled by burning of coals and the steam produced will drive a steam turbine which generates electricity. This method is also one of the most polluting method to generate electricity.
How do they destroy?
Coals are both mined on the surface and deep in the earth. In surface mining, the surrounding area are first cleared of all flora and fauna. Then after that, soil will be extracted in large quantities where it will be processed to separated the coals buried inside. Often after the coals are finish extracted from that area, huge craters several kilometers wide barren of all life. Mountains are leveled down leaving no trace of it ever stood higher than a hill. Acidic water may flow out from abandoned mines and stain the water system in that area.
In underground mining, tunnels are dug deep inside the earth and often spread out for miles. After coals are finished, miners pack up and leaving behind the tunnels. These tunnels may one day become unstable and collapsed. Mining underground also causes hazardous gasses to be released and build up inside the tunnels, causing mishaps.
Are there alternatives available?
A large scale power production are limited in choices as it depends on the geometry and the resources available in the region. So replacing coal powered plants are still far from becoming a reality. Companies began to take steps to ensure the CO2 emission from burning these coals are reduced. Other than coal, substitute substance is added in without sacrificing efficiency. The waste from burning are also processed to they can be used in other industry.
Home users like us can help by reducing the power we use daily. Turn off unnecessary electric appliances and minimize their usage. We can also try to substitute our source electricity by using a solar panel system or wind turbine. The less we need to depend on these coal powered plants, the less in demand coal will be, lowering the amount mined thus saving nature from being destroyed.