Glossary
Anthracite
The highest grade of coal, formed under intense heat and pressure, characterized by its high carbon content and energy efficiency.
Example:
Due to its clean-burning properties and high heat output, anthracite is often preferred for residential heating where available.
Biodiesel
A cleaner-burning fuel made from vegetable oils and animal fats, used as an alternative to petroleum diesel.
Example:
Some trucks and buses can run on biodiesel made from used cooking oil, reducing their carbon footprint.
Biomass
Organic material from plants and animals that can be burned for energy, considered renewable if harvested sustainably.
Example:
Burning wood pellets, a form of biomass, can provide heat for homes, but sustainable forestry is key to its renewability.
Bituminous
A dense, black coal formed from compressed lignite, widely used for electricity generation and steel production due to its relatively high energy content.
Example:
Bituminous coal is a common fuel source for many industrial processes and traditional coal-fired power plants.
Coal
A solid, non-renewable fossil fuel formed from decomposed organic matter in wetlands, widely used for electricity generation.
Example:
Many power plants still rely on burning coal to produce electricity, leading to significant air pollution.
Cogeneration (Combined Heat and Power - CHP)
An efficient process that simultaneously generates both electricity and useful heat from a single fuel source, capturing waste heat for other applications.
Example:
A factory using cogeneration might generate its own electricity and then use the waste heat from that process to warm its buildings or power industrial processes.
Crude Oil
Unrefined petroleum found underground, consisting of long hydrocarbon chains, which must be processed into usable products.
Example:
Tankers transport crude oil from drilling sites to refineries, where it is separated into gasoline, diesel, and other products.
Deepwater Horizon
A major offshore oil rig explosion and spill in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in the largest marine oil spill in history.
Example:
The Deepwater Horizon disaster highlighted the risks of deep-sea drilling and led to increased scrutiny of offshore oil operations.
Ethanol
A biofuel produced from plant material, often mixed with gasoline to reduce smog and extend fuel supplies.
Example:
Many gasoline pumps offer E10, a blend containing 10% ethanol derived from corn or sugarcane.
Exxon Valdez
An oil tanker accident in 1989 that spilled millions of gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound, Alaska, causing widespread environmental devastation.
Example:
The Exxon Valdez spill prompted significant changes in oil tanker design and led to the passage of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
Fossil Fuels
Non-renewable energy sources formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient organisms, including oil, coal, and natural gas.
Example:
Burning fossil fuels like coal in power plants is a major contributor to atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions.
Lignite
A soft, brown coal formed from compressed peat, representing an intermediate stage in coal formation with higher energy content than peat.
Example:
Power plants in some areas utilize lignite for electricity generation, though it produces more emissions per unit of energy than higher-grade coals.
Methane (CH4)
The primary component of natural gas and a potent greenhouse gas, released from both natural sources and human activities.
Example:
Leaks from natural gas pipelines can release methane directly into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
Natural Gas
A fossil fuel composed mainly of methane, considered the cleanest-burning fossil fuel but still a non-renewable source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Example:
Many homes use natural gas for heating and cooking due to its relatively clean combustion compared to other fossil fuels.
OPA90 (Oil Pollution Act of 1990)
U.S. legislation passed in response to the Exxon Valdez spill, strengthening federal regulations on oil spill prevention, response, and liability.
Example:
Thanks to OPA90, oil tankers operating in U.S. waters are now required to have double hulls to reduce the risk of spills.
Oil (Petroleum)
A non-renewable hydrocarbon liquid formed from decomposed organic material, primarily used for transportation fuels and heating.
Example:
A car's engine runs on gasoline, which is refined from oil extracted from underground reservoirs.
Oil Spills
Accidental releases of petroleum into the environment, typically in marine areas, causing severe ecological and economic damage.
Example:
The oil spill from a damaged tanker can devastate coastal ecosystems, coating birds and marine life in toxic crude.
Peat
Partially decomposed plant matter found in wetlands, representing the earliest stage of coal formation with high water content and low energy density.
Example:
In some regions, peat is still harvested and burned as a low-grade fuel for heating and cooking.
Renewable Energy
Energy sources that are naturally replenished over relatively short periods, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
Example:
Installing solar panels on a roof is a way to utilize renewable energy and reduce reliance on the grid.
Tar Sands
Deposits of sand or clay saturated with bitumen, a heavy, viscous form of petroleum that requires significant energy and water to extract.
Example:
Extracting oil from tar sands in Alberta, Canada, involves extensive mining and processing, leading to habitat disruption and water pollution.