Published Works
"Energy Coal Policy in the 112th Congress: Objectives, Tools, and Compromises."
American Coal,
American Coal Council, Issue 1, 2011,
29 June 2011
Patrick D. Traylor
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If the 111th Congress aimed to push the use of energy coal in the United States quickly down a steep slope, the
112th Congress may provide an opportunity to pick out an alternate descent to the
sustainable use of an abundant domestic fuel. The path is strewn with environmental
boulders and thickets – anthropogenic
climate change, emission of air toxics,
disposition of coal combustion residues,
and fine particulate and ozone air quality
impacts. On the other hand, geopolitical concerns make domestic energy security
and an expanded reliance on coal a high priority, while at the same time a weakened
global economy counsels against any dramatic shift in energy policy that adversely impacts job creation or productivity. This article briefly outlines, in two parts, how a divided Congress and Administration might work with – and against – each other in the next two years to
navigate these oftentimes conflicting goals.