Changes

In economics, an [[W:external cost|external cost]] , or [[W:externality|externality]] , is a negative effect of an economic activity on a third party. When coal is mined and used to generate power, external costs include the impacts of water pollution, solid waste streams, and especially air pollution on human health, and the long-term damage to natural systems and human society caused by global warming. These can end up as federal subsidies if taxpayers have to pay the costs of these harms, such as health care expenses and environmental clean-up, as well as the loss or degradation of valuable ecosystem and community services.