My sister is back in college, getting exposed to info and green technology (like she has never done before,, another story). She told me that through some program she learned that there is no "Clean Coal" technology available.
There is not even much research being considered as viable.

I guess now that I'm back on the internet (computer virus), I can research it. But I thought I would ask you knowledgable folks.

That kinda depends on your definition of pollution Wasrabbity. Is it particulate emissions nitric oxides, mercury emissions, or carbon dioxide. The most promising method I have heard of involves trapping the exhaust of coalplants and running them through covered ponds of algae with some low quality water like partially treated sewage. The algae uses the carbondioxide and the nitrogen components to grow. This removes about 50% of the carbon dioxide, 80% of the nitrogen oxides, allmost all particulate emissions. I don't know how sucessfull it is in removing mercury. The algae is harvested and large amounts of oil that is easily converted to biodiesel is removed. The algae can then be fermented for ethanol or some say turned into cattle feed. If you just count the value of the biodiesel and ethanol it is not commercially viable at this time. If cap and trade is enacted or a carbon tax is put in place that could change. As to what your niece was told at college, just remember that most college campuses are rather left winged now days. It is true that no commercial coal gassification plants are operating.

If you're willing to listen for about an hour you can hear a fairly balanced discussion of this issue as seen by Kentuckians. http://www.wfpl.org/CMS/?p=3340
I first heard the term "clean coal" about 25 years ago. I was astonished---just as astonished as I was the day I walked into a music store and saw a "Christian Rock and Roll" section. I remain astonished that the industry has gotten away with it for the most part. Just like the swine industry has gotten away with calling giant pools of swine wastes---ready?---Lagoons!
Not mentioned in the above referenced discussion was the issue of the origins of the coal---specifically mountain-top removal.

clean coal..I have to chuckle at that description
kind of like roundup disapating to inert ingredients after being sprayed...

Unfortunately the source of over 50% of the electricity in the United States won't be replaced overnight. Large portions of the United States don't have sufficient wind even if enough mills could be erected within a short time. Nor do they have the solar thermal potential of the southwest.Hydroelectric energy is allready pretty much maximized. The algae could be used to retrofit existing coal power plants versus the several years it would take to build new nukes(unlikely with the current administration). Don't mistake me. I live 15 miles east of one coal power plant and 15 miles southwest of another. I know all about the problems of being down wind of them.

quote:

The most promising method I have heard of involves trapping the exhaust of coalplants and running them through covered ponds of algae with some low quality water like partially treated sewage. The algae uses the carbondioxide and the nitrogen components to grow. This removes about 50% of the carbon dioxide, 80% of the nitrogen oxides, allmost all particulate emissions. I don't know how sucessfull it is in removing mercury. The algae is harvested and large amounts of oil that is easily converted to biodiesel is removed. The algae can then be fermented for ethanol or some say turned into cattle feed. If you just count the value of the biodiesel and ethanol it is not commercially viable at this time. If cap and trade is enacted or a carbon tax is put in place that could change.

That there's crazy talk! Sounds like sumpin' one of them high-falutin' left-wingers with all there fancy edumacation would come up with... why cahn't we just DRILL BABY DRILL!

I actually have no objection to drilling for oil. Sure beats sending the better part of a trillion out of the country everyyear. Course lately that gets spent every 30 days.

Seriously automobile fuel and electricity are two different things...for the next several years anyway.