The NYT article says coal-fired power plants are on the rebound in much of Europe, especially in places like Italy and Germany, where nuclear power isn’t an option. Coal will rise from about 14% to about 33% of Italy’s generation mix in coming years, the paper says. Everyone wants to build “clean coal” plants, which emit less carbon dioxide, but the technology isn’t commercially mature, and Europe is just now launching demonstration projects.
Coal’s apparent revival in Europe also highlights two other strands in the Gordian knot of energy and climate policy. First, it’s very tough to have your cake and eat it too: Europe’s three energy mantras are security of supply, greater market competition, and greater environmental protection. They don’t seem to mesh well.
Coal’d Truth: European Power Gets Dirtier
