Coal Gasification Plants are less toxic than Biomass Plants, but, they still emit huge amounts of carbon dioxide. The Gasification process was developed after the Clean Air Act was passed. It is a process that allows the burning of coal at a lower temperature to prevent high levels of NOX and SOX to enter the 'breathable air' which ultimately leads to toxic waters and contaminated fisheries.
The only 'real' carbon sequestration is that of trees. When they finish providing 'service' to Earth in the way of carbon sequestration and wildlife habitat they die and degrade to SOIL.
Not only has coal mining been a nightmare for air and water quality, it been a nightmare to the people that life among the industry and work in it.
We have witnessed the tragedy of the Massey mines and other such ? accidents ?. Recently, a Kentuckian by the name of Ashley Judd spoke at The National Press Club about the destruction of The Hillbilly Culture she grew in as a child.
The C Span link to Ms. Judd's one hour presentation: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/293979-1
"Veto the Permit for Arch Spruce Mine Number One"
Tar Sands, the nightmare far away in Northern Canada, worse than coal and oil.
Tar sands (also referred to as oil sands) are a combination of clay, sand, water, and bitumen, a heavy black viscous oil. Tar sands can be mined and processed to extract the oil-rich bitumen, which is then refined into oil. The bitumen in tar sands cannot be pumped from the ground in its natural state; instead tar sand deposits are mined, usually using strip mining or open pit techniques, or the oil is extracted by underground heating with additional upgrading.
http://ostseis.anl.gov/guide/tarsands/index.cfm
Energy
Crude Awakening
Right here in North America could lie the answer to our energy needs. But at what cost? Mining the tar sands of Alberta threatens to strip the world’s largest intact forest of its ability to hold carbon and to wipe out the breeding grounds for millions of birds.
By Barry Yeoman/Photography by Jon Lowenstein
http://audubonmagazine.org/features1003/energy.html
