Most of our energy in this country is derived from coal.  Coal, a fossil fuel created from the remains of plants that lived and died about 100 to 400 million years ago, is primarily used for electricity in the United States.  Coal is a nonrenewable energy source; it takes millions of years to form, and the U.S. currently has only 285 years worth of coal left if we continue to burn it at our current rate.  The use of coal creates huge environmental concerns.   Mining coal is dangerous and expensive work and the mining process destroys the surrounding ecosystem.  In addition, coal contains organic sulfur which, when burned, is released into the air, contributing to acid rain and global warming.   Coal-burning power plants are a significant contributor to global warming.  Because of this knowledge, alternatives are slowly being created.  If you live in the DC Metro area and get your power from PEPCO, you can elect to receive either a portion or all of your electricity from clean-burning wind energy.  Energy produced from wind farms is wind- and fuel-free.  It is only pennies more expensive than traditional coal-derived energy.  Signing up is very easy!   Click here for more information on how to get clean-burning, wind energy. 

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