Me too, but reducing carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide emissions without filters is a good start that we've not made yet! In any case as long as we burn things, we'll produce carbon dioxide. The only solution there is nuclear, but that's putting us under a permanent sword of Damocles and things only have to go seriously wrong once in a heavily populated area (You will gather that I'm not really in favour of that particular "green" solution). But I do find the Peak oil argument pretty convincing.  The thing is there is an energy/pollution crisis which demands action. This demands, not doomsday scenarios but vision - finding the best means to eke out what seems to be left. If there's a bit more than we think, so much the better for future generations.
As for coal-burning power-stations, can't say. Electric motive power is very efficient in itself but demands heavy infrastructure. Chapelon pointed out that the problem of electrification is the extent of line losses which means that, depending on the distance involved, you have to produce considerably more electricity than you will ever be able to use. This holds good for all national grids whatever the source - steam - i.e. nuclear (yes a nuclear power station after all is a steam engine), coal or oil-fired... hydro wind...
 Chapelon was of the opinion (in the 1930s!) that you had to adapt fuels to needs. His position at that time was that it was wise to continue with coal for the the railways leaving imported fuels for the uses where it was indispensable i.e. the roads. I don't know what his views on maritime applications were. The situation now may be a bit different, but you have to admit the man had vision at a time when they believed in of an unlimited energy cornucopia.
On a more mundane level, steam could well be used for cross-country passenger services and rail freight where medium power diesel locomotives are at present employed. The technology is there waiting in the wings and production could be geared up within a relatively short time scale - 10 years?  The 5AT project already mentioned is for a small locomotive with a top speed of 200 km/h and 1890 kW/2535 hp at the draw bar - more than ample for current needs. I also spoke of Waller's proposition for Russia but did not mention his current project for a suburban line in the Basel district http://www.modern-steam-hauenstein.ch/.

John of Paris