Answer to Question 1
Climate issues associated with global warming from carbon dioxide emissions could limit the amount of coal burned in the United States, especially with the help of campaigns like Beyond Coal.
Answer to Question 2
Since some problems cross state lines (such as acid rain, water pollution, and ozone depletion), the federal government needs to have a role in environmental policy. Unfortunately, history shows that the administration and political party in power at a particular time has an enormous effect on the way policies are enforced. Through subsidies and tariffs, the federal government can encourage practices that are not environmentally sound. Ideally, the federal government should have the ability to enact and enforce laws but have a limited ability to change or undermine these laws depending on who or what party is in office, or which corporation or interests have the strongest influence. State governments should have the ability to have stronger policies than the federal government. For example, some states have stricter rules on the uses of wetlands or have bottle laws; however, states should not have the ability to usurp or undermine federal policy.
A fossil trilobite.
A fossil leaf in low-grade coal
Groundwater Resources
Biomass can be processed to make vehicle fuels
Global consumption of fossil fuel
Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle coal-fired stations