No, I don't think we adequately account for the environmental impact in the cost that consumers pay for coal. <span>Consumers are paying much too low a price for coal-generated electricity, because the price they pay does not take account of the very large external costs associated with generation.</span>
Coal is a fossil fuel extracted from the earth through mining. Its origin is from the decomposition of organic matter (tree and plant remains) that accumulated under a water slide millions of years ago. Although not renewable, there are strong incentives for the production of electricity from coal. The two main arguments in favor of energy production from coal are the abundance of reserves, which ensures security of supply and the low cost of ore (compared to other fossil fuels) and the production process.
However, despite the economic advantages, the production of electricity from coal is one of the most aggressive forms of energy production from the social and environmental point of view. Negative externalities are present throughout the entire production process, from the extraction of coal. The low price of coal does not take into account the environmental impact of its extraction and use, so we can say that we do not adequately account for the environmental impact on the cost consumers pay for coal.
