Abandoning coal isn’t the answer. There is a better path to cleaner air and saving the planet

‘Completely abandoning the use of fossil fuels is not an option if we want to maintain our modern life, so it’s imperative we tackle the issue of their pollutants as soon as possible’

Utah is at the forefront of innovation in developing clean energy generation, and it’s happening at a breakneck pace. From our clean energy utopia in central Utah to educating Utah’s future energy workforce, our state is leading the way to a cleaner and more renewable energy future.

For all these advancements, Utah is still largely reliant on coal. More than 70% of our electricity comes from coal-fired power plants located in rural Utah, and it will be at similar numbers for years to come. While coal-generated power fuels our modern life and helps make Utah an attractive place to live and do business, it does come with costs to our climate, air quality and environment.

Completely abandoning the use of fossil fuels is not an option if we want to maintain our modern life, so it’s imperative we tackle the issue of their pollutants as soon as possible.

So is there a way to use fossil fuels without emitting irresponsible amounts of CO2 into the air? The answer isn’t a yes or no — it’s carbon capture. Carbon capture works by doing exactly what it sounds like — it captures the CO2 emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels, like coal, where it can then be safely stored thousands of feet underground or used in other capacities.