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Cost of capturing CO2 declining
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) -- Technology now in limited use removes about 90 percent of carbon dioxide from the smokestacks of coal-fired power plants, but energy experts say cost remains the chief obstacle to bringing the "clean coal" touted by President Donald Trump into the mainstream.
They cite recent advances in applying the longstanding technology, despite some earlier setbacks, but say the U.S. power sector needs bigger tax credits or other incentives to close the cost gap for using them.
The U.S. has successfully cut other smokestack pollutants, including sulfur, nitrogen and mercury. But carbon dioxide is a bigger challenge because there is so much of it. Coal- and gas-fired electrical generators produce about 30 percent of CO2 from human activity. Other industries like cement, steel and fertilizer manufacturing add another 20 to 25 percent. Farming and vehicles are also major contributors.
John Thompson of the nonprofit Clean Air Task Force said there would be no way to limit the rise in global temperatures to 3.6 degrees above pre-industrial levels without taming carbon emissions. The world has already warmed about 2 degrees since the Industrial Revolution. Scientists say every fraction of a degree change in average temperatures can lead to noticeable swings in local weather patterns.
Walmart puts returns in fast lane
NEW YORK (AP) -- Online sales have divided retailers into two camps: the quick and the dead.
To that end, Walmart is altering its policies to speed returns, even it means that nothing is returned at all in some cases.
Starting next month through Walmart's app, customers will be able to scan goods they no longer want with their own smartphone and drop it off at a customer service desk.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Monday that by using the app, returns will take 35 seconds or less. Returns right now are about quadruple that time, not including any wait in line.
Retailers believe that the costs of accommodating customers with easy returns will be offset by increased volume. Amazon.com Inc. recently partnered with Kohl's so that customers in Los Angeles and Chicago can drop off goods bought through Amazon at Kohl's stores, where employees, pack and ship those items back at no cost.
Making it easy for customers is so important to the Bentonville, Arkansas, retailer that in December, some items no longer wanted will not even have to be returned.