Illinois Sets Coal Export Record in 2012 as U.S. Acknowledges Climate Change
Illinois set a record for coal exports in 2012, while a majority of Americans recognize the link between climate change and extreme weather. Meanwhile, California's Coda electric car company has filed for bankruptcy, and a significant number of U.S. oil wells are in water-stressed areas.
In 2012, Illinois became the fifth-largest coal producer in the U.S. and saw record coal exports. However, the state is also taking steps towards cleaner energy. An Indianapolis utility plans to shut down 600 MW of coal- and oil-powered units, while a soon-to-be-retired power plant in Rochester, Minnesota, is expected to burn through the last of its coal by September.
General Motors has signed on to a declaration calling for action on climate change, aligning with the majority of Americans who see a connection between climate change and weather extremes. Nearly half of U.S. oil wells are in water-stressed areas, raising concerns about resource management. In Ohio, lawmakers have introduced a bill calling for a ban on wastewater injection wells, following a pipeline spill in Arkansas that also affected a Missouri yard this week.
While Illinois' coal production and exports reached record highs in 2012, the U.S. is also witnessing a shift towards acknowledging the impacts of climate change and taking steps towards cleaner energy. The closure of coal and oil-powered units, along with corporate and public awareness, signals a move towards a more sustainable future.
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