Coal

Report — May 20, 2020

Global Energy Outlook Comparison Methods: 2020 Update

An update to a harmonization methodology previously developed in 2015 to allow apples-to-apples comparisons of long-term global energy projections issued by leading international energy agencies.

Report — May 20, 2020

Global Energy Outlook 2020: Energy Transition or Energy Addition?

With commentary on the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, the RFF Global Energy Outlook provides a review of global energy market projections by leading international energy organizations and corporations.

Report — Mar 2, 2020

How Clean is “Refined Coal”? An Empirical Assessment of a Billion-Dollar Tax Credit

Billions of dollars of taxpayer funds go to "refined" coal subsidies, but the associated emissions reductions may not meet the US tax code requirements.

Report — Oct 23, 2017

The Roles of Energy Markets and Environmental Regulation in Reducing Coal-Fired Plant Profits and Electricity Sector Emissions

Market forces explain much of the US electricity sector NOx emissions reductions and nearly all coal plant retirements.

Working Paper — Jul 5, 2018

Retirements and Funerals: The Emission, Mortality, and Coal-Mine Employment Effects of a Two-Year Delay in Coal and Nuclear Power Plant Retirements

A leaked US government memo proposes preventing the scheduled retirement of coal and nuclear power plants for two years. Using a detailed simulation model, we estimate the effects of such a policy on emissions, mortality, and coal-mine jobs.

Working Paper — Nov 22, 2016

Spatial Distribution of Coal-Fired Power Plants in China

Media Highlight — Dec 23, 2019

US Senators Ask for Government Investigation of Coal Tax Credit Program

"Three U.S. Democratic senators have asked the investigative arm of Congress to evaluate a $1 billion-a-year subsidy for burning chemically treated refined coal, after research has shown that some power plants using the fuel produced surging amounts of mercury and smog instead of cutting pollution."

Media Highlight — Jul 8, 2019

"Trump Talks Up ‘America’s Environmental Leadership’ in Climate Speech"

Richard Newell is quoted in a New York Times article on President Trump's environmental speech.

Common Resources — Mar 2, 2020

“Refined Coal” is Still No Bargain

A new empirical assessment from RFF scholars finds that the billion-dollar refined coal tax credit offers few benefits.

Resources Articles — Oct 9, 2019

How Clean is “Refined Coal”?

Brian C. Prest examines the effectiveness of the billion-dollar federal subsidy for refined coal in the United States.