Coal used to be a very dirty fuel but coal has become…
“Coal used to be a very dirty fuel but coal has become cleaner and cleaner over the decades. Clean coal now is quite clean. Clean coal now has the same emissions profile as natural gas. Clean coal can become cleaner still. We can take even more of the pollutants out of coal and I believe we should. Clean coal, I think, is the immediate answer to Canada's energy needs and the world's energy needs. There are hundreds of years available of coal supplies. We shouldn't be squandering that resource. We should be using it prudently.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Advocates for continued use of coal, arguing that technological improvements can make it as clean as natural gas and meet long‑term energy needs.
In simple terms: Coal can be cleaned and used responsibly for energy.
Invest in clean coal technology while managing resources.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- national energy planning
- industrial power generation
- environmental regulation
- future resource strategy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the trade‑offs of clean coal vs renewables?
- How can we ensure coal cleaning tech is truly effective?
Clean coal still emits pollutants and may delay renewable adoption.