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Study finds methane emissions from coal mines ~50% higher than previously thought

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The amount of methane released into the atmosphere as a result of coal mining is likely approximately 50% higher than previously estimated, according to research presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union. The authors point out that less coal production doesn’t translate to less methane.

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Study Concludes Peak Coal Will Occur Close to 2011

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A multi-Hubbert analysis of coal production by Tadeusz Patzek at The University of Texas at Austin and Gregory Croft at the University of California, Berkeley concludes that the global peak of coal production from existing coalfields will occur close to the year 2011. Gt C (15 Gt CO 2 ) per year, according to the study.

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Tsinghua University provincial-level lifecycle study finds fuel-cycle criteria pollutants of EVs in China could be up to 5x those of natural gas vehicles due to China’s coal-dominant power mix

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Consumption-based power mixes and NG transmission distances by Chinese province in 2010. In regions where the share of coal-based electricity is relatively low, EVs can achieve substantial GHG reduction, the team reports in a paper in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology. Credit: ACS, Huo et al. Click to enlarge.

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EIA: US energy-related CO2 emissions in 2012 lowest since 1994; reflects drop in coal use

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With the exception of 2010, emissions have declined every year since 2007. The largest drop in emissions in 2012 came from coal, which is used almost exclusively for electricity generation. US energy-related CO 2 emissions in 2012 were the lowest since 1994, at 5.3 Duke study.

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Study finds half of the world’s population exposed to increasing air pollution

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A team of researchers, led by Professor Gavin Shaddick at the University of Exeter, has shown that, despite global efforts to improve air quality, half of the world’s population is exposed to increasing air pollution. in 2016; (b) Changes in concentrations between 2010 and 2016. Credit: Professor Gavin Shaddick/University of Exeter.

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CMU study finds that coal retirement is needed for EVs to reduce air pollution

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Electric vehicles charged in coal-heavy regions can create more human health and environmental damages from life cycle air emissions than gasoline vehicles, according to a new consequential life cycle analysis by researchers from Carnegie Mellon University. That’s why the shift away from coal is so important for EVs.

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Penn State Researchers Use Ionic Liquids to Improve Efficiency of Direct Coal Liquefaction

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Researchers at Penn State University have shown that certain ionic liquids can be used to fragment, disperse, and partially dissolve coal to such an extent that good contact can be made with catalyst particles by simply mixing these particles with the ionic liquid/coal dispersion for improved efficiency of liquefaction.

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