Topic: How To Invest

Q: Hi Pat: I’m hearing varying stories on the efficiency of carbon scrubbers in reducing the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere by coal-fired plants. Some say the reduction is as much as 90%. If this is true, I can’t believe the coal industry lobbyists wouldn’t be touting this at every greenhouse-gas convention and at every government conference on global warming. Also NRG Energy (NRG on New York) seems to be leading in this area. I’d appreciate your comments.

Article Excerpt

A: Carbon scrubbing, also called clean-coal technology, aims to reduce the amount of harmful emissions and particulates, such as sulfur dioxide and mercury, emitted from coal-fired power plants. The process for doing this involves treating low-quality coal before burning it, and installing special equipment to capture emissions before they enter the atmosphere. However, carbon scrubbing does not remove carbon dioxide (CO2). Many scientists and environmentalists feel rising levels of CO2 is a major contributor to global warming. As a result, several power-plant operators (including NRG Energy, see below) are now working on ways to capture CO2 and store it in underground. Due to the high costs involved, few power-plant operators have those kinds of CO2 “sequestration facilities.” Moreover, many have begun to convert their coal plants to burn natural gas. The costs associated with natural gas production have come down, thanks to fracking and other technological advances. Supply of the gas has improved for the same reasons. In addition, the Trump administration is…