clean coal
Oxymoronic energy source
Clean coal refers to technologies and practices aimed at reducing the environmental impact of burning coal for energy—scrubbing emissions, capturing carbon, improving efficiency.
Critics argue the term is misleading since coal extraction and combustion remain inherently polluting: Clean coal is an oxymoron.
The phrase appears frequently in energy policy debates and industry marketing.
False sustainability claims
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- oxymoronSelf-contradicting phrase device
misinformation · spin · deception · PR · lobbying · health risks · environmental impact · climate change
Collecting and storing emissions
- scrubbingCleaning by rubbing hard
- emissions controlRegulating released pollutants
- sequestrationAct of setting apart
- CCSEmail copy recipients
gasification · supercritical · retrofit · efficiency · smokestack
Facility producing electrical energy
- electricity generationCreating electrical current industrially
- baseloadMinimum continuous power demand
- thermalPertaining to warmth
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
boiler · steam turbine · generator · megawatt · grid · utility · energy production · kilowatt-hour
Legal limits on pollutants released
- environmental regulationLaws protecting natural systems
- carbon taxLevy on fuel combustion
- cap and tradeLimits plus tradable allowances
- energy policyRules governing fuel use
energy transition · pollution control · subsidies · EPA · Kyoto Protocol · Paris Agreement · compliance · mandates
Captured coal combustion powder
- bottom ashHeavy incombustible furnace residue
- sulfur dioxideSO₂ gas compound
- particulate matterFine airborne solid fragments
- slagIndustrial metalworking byproduct
carbon dioxide · sludge · gypsum · wastewater
Highest-grade coal variety
- bituminousContaining natural tar
- ligniteLow-rank sedimentary fuel
- fossil fuelEnergy from decomposed organisms
- carbon contentProportion of element six
BTU · combustible · mining · reserves · feedstock · hydrocarbons
greenwashing
False sustainability claims
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- misleadingCausing false beliefs
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
oxymoron · misinformation · spin · deception · PR · lobbying · health risks · environmental impact · climate change · emissions
carbon capture
Collecting and storing emissions
- scrubbingCleaning by rubbing hard
- emissions controlRegulating released pollutants
- sequestrationAct of setting apart
CCS · gasification · supercritical · retrofit · efficiency · smokestack
power plant
Facility producing electrical energy
- electricity generationCreating electrical current industrially
- baseloadMinimum continuous power demand
- thermalPertaining to warmth
combustion · boiler · steam turbine · generator · megawatt · grid · utility · energy production · kilowatt-hour · capacity
emissions standards
Legal limits on pollutants released
- environmental regulationLaws protecting natural systems
- carbon taxLevy on fuel combustion
- cap and tradeLimits plus tradable allowances
energy policy · energy transition · pollution control · subsidies · EPA · Kyoto Protocol · Paris Agreement · compliance · mandates · incentives
fly ash
Captured coal combustion powder
- bottom ashHeavy incombustible furnace residue
- sulfur dioxideSO₂ gas compound
- particulate matterFine airborne solid fragments
slag · carbon dioxide · sludge · gypsum · wastewater
anthracite
Highest-grade coal variety
- bituminousContaining natural tar
- ligniteLow-rank sedimentary fuel
- fossil fuelEnergy from decomposed organisms
carbon content · BTU · combustible · mining · reserves · feedstock · hydrocarbons
- coalanthracite, bituminous, lignite, slack, culm
- energy policyenergy policy, energy bills, energy independence, energy security, energy efficiency
- coal processingwashery, crushing, screening, sizing, dewatering
- clean energysolar power, solar, wind power, wind, solar panels
- Acid Rainacid rain, acidification, sulfur dioxide, SO2, sulfuric acid
- Climate Politicsclimate change, global warming, carbon tax, Paris Agreement, Kyoto Protocol
clean coaldirty coal
Unclean carbon fuel source
dirty energy · renewable energy · brown coal · lignite · tar sands
clean coalsolar power
Energy derived from sunlight
renewable energy · wind power · hydroelectric power · geothermal energy · nuclear power
clean, coal, cleans, cleaned, cleaning, cleaner, cleaners, cleanest, cleanly