Today’s coal essential for a bright energy future

Three reasons why today's coal is an important part of our energy future.

All of us share the goals of affordable energy, a strong economy and a clean environment. The world needs all forms of energy to meet the ever increasing needs of our modern world, and coal is essential to the mix.

Here are three reasons why today's coal is an important part of our energy future:

1. Coal is affordable, dependable and plentiful. As the world's most abundant energy resource, coal provides 40 percent of the world's power and more than 40 percent of U.S. electricity. It is also the lowest cost major fuel source. Affordability is important for all of us, especially at a time when one-third of the U.S. population qualifies for energy assistance.

2. State-of-the-art technologies deliver great environmental results. Today's clean coal technologies improve emissions and tell a great environmental success story: Coal used for electricity has nearly doubled in recent decades as a key emissions rate declined 90 percent. And the International Energy Agency points out that every large advanced coal plant delivers the equivalent environmental benefit of taking a million cars off the road.

3. Advanced technologies are available off the shelf. How do we keep energy reliable and affordable and achieve our important environmental goals? The best way to transition to low-carbon energy systems is by accelerating use of today's advanced generation, which is being broadly used around the world. Longer-term, next generation carbon capture use and storage (CCUS) should be prioritized for commercialization. Using technology to balance our energy, economic and environmental goals is the right solution for a clean energy future. It is also the best approach to keep energy available and affordable for hard working families.