Coal is generally considered a reliable energy source for generating electricity. Burning coal releases energy absorbed by plants from the sun and this can be used to heat water to generate steam, which is then used to drive a turbine to generate electricity.
Coal is abundant but finite. Coal has the largest reserve and is often the cheapest of the fuel options. Generating electricity using coal can be “easy and affordable” but has a negative impact on the environment.
According to Greenpeace International, coal burning power stations speed up global warming by filling the atmosphere with vast amounts of carbon dioxide. Coal burning can lead to acid rain and smog, and emits more than 60 different air pollutants.
Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOE, Greenpeace International