Can coal-burning plants really clean up their act?

As the push for greener energy continues across the nation, few terms seem as polarizing as “clean coal.”

In reality, “clean coal” is an industry term that refers to increasing the efficiency of coal mining, making power plants that use coal more environmentally friendly and making coal itself more fuel-efficient and clean-burning.

Environmentalists argue coal cannot be called clean until its carbon dioxide emissions are captured and stored safely.

Unfortunately, that technology doesn’t exist, Holyfield said.

“It still is in the research-and-development stage,” he added.

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