In July, 2006, the New Hampshire Public Research Interest Group released an incredibly informative report titled Making Sense of the “Coal Rush”. This brief report walks the reader through the intricacies of the emerging debate over the 150 new coal power plants planned for the United States.

At only 40 pages (plus appendices), this report provides a very readable explanation of the reasoning of the power companies in building these plants, consequences of their construction including increased global warming and an introduction to possible alternative energy sources, as well as an informative discussion on the possibilities of carbon sequestration. If you’ve ever had any questions about coal power and its problems, this is an excellent way to get up to speed. The report can be found here.