Will Steel Be Coal's Salvation?

Coal. Considered a dirty fuel because of its high carbon content, along with the toxic by-products produced when burned, the EPA has been turning electricity producers away from the material and toward natural gas. The coal used in these instances is called thermal coal. The future of coal lies in its other, more industrial application as metallurgical coal or better known as coking coal which is used in the manufacture of steel, a basic but essential building material used in just about everything – from buildings and roads to household appliances. It seems that we are not done yet with the dirty business.