Do coal powered plants polute

Answer 1

Coal is one of the dirtiest burning fuels currently in use. Power plants running on coal are one of the leading contributors of pollution which causes smog as well as acid rain. It's effects on global warming are still under debate.

Answer 2

Using coal without special treatment as the fuel for a power plant creates a few very nasty compounds, including sulfur dioxide (depending on the sulfur content ofthe coal), Mercury, and carbon dioxide (this last not toxic but still a greenhouse gas). There are three scrubbing technologies extant at the present. Unfortunately, all are quite expensive.