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We can use coal and have cleaner air. Really we have the capability to install "scrubbers" that clean the air better than what we breathe.

Scrubbers are not as easy to maintain as they may sound. The stuff that they are scrubbing makes a very corrosive solution in the water used to scrub the flue gas. Regular steels cannot last, and the alloys that do last are very expensive. I think they also produce some pretty polluted water, but I haven't looked at the designs in some time. Either way, your point is good. There are several options available.

WFTR
Bill

I only ilistated the use of scubbers to counter you argument of having to choose a lower standard of air quality, which is false. We can have our cake and eat it too. It has not been profitable for companies, the oil companies has beaten coal to the punch, so to speak.

We can start at the front end of the process, by just adding adding pstachio shells or corn cobs you can raise the Btu rating. Pleanty of ideas, there has been so much money spent that we are tripping over thirty year old ideas. Nothing different today:

"Today I am pleased to announce that the United States will sponsor a $1 billion, 10-year demonstration project to create the world's first coal-based, zero-emissions electricity and hydrogen power plant..." President George W. Bush February 27, 2003