"BOSTON - The U.S. Congress is investigating a multibillion-dollar subsidy for chemically treated coal that is meant to reduce smokestack pollution, after evidence emerged that power plants using the fuel produced more smog not less.
The outcome of the probe could play a big role in whether lawmakers vote to renew the subsidy, on track to expire at the end of this year.
The Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, is examining the refined coal tax credit program which generates at least $1 billion a year for U.S. corporations, according to GAO analysts that contacted Reuters requesting information.
Three U.S. Democratic senators called for the investigation after a Reuters Special Report series in December 2018 revealed that many power plants burning the fuel, which supporters call “clean coal”, pumped out more pollution than previously."
Tim McLaughlin reports for Reuters March 15, 2021.
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