FLASHPOINT:

Coal campaign picking up steam

Sat, Nov 22, 2008 (2:01 a.m.)

In the era of renewables, can coal compete? You are seeing signs that utilities are pushing forward despite the Brave New Obama World. First, Sen. John Ensign, R-NV Energy, and Rep. Dean Heller, R-NV Energy, wrote a letter pushing the coal behemoth near Ely. And now results show that the “coal can be clean” campaign may be working. The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) recently released results of a poll that shows “nearly 70 percent of opinion elites believe that coal is a fuel for America’s energy future.” That’s up from 52 percent six months ago, which shows the industry’s campaign has been successful. But is the president-elect one of those opinion elites in the 70 percent?

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By Future2012

11/22/08 at 8:15 a.m.

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Now that the Bush administration's EPA Appeal Board has effectively stopped all new coal and gas (both green house gas emitters) because there are no carbon release regulations, it will be up to Obama's EPA to either stop permitting or develop regulations.

"Is the president-elect one of those opinion elites in the 70 percent."

With the people that will be in an Obma EPA, an Obama EPA would have a hard time putting out a regulation with any carbon releases.

So even without a cap and trade program it is hard to see that any new or retro-fitted coal or gas power plants will be allowed.

Unfortunately the ability to build 100's of large only "renewable" power plant is still 15 to 20 years away.

Battery technology and transmission infrastructure is not in place.

A Local Hydrogen fuel cell energy economy, the only true future technology, is still too far out and lacks infrastructure.
By tommy4usa

11/22/08 at 1:08 p.m.

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coal to liquid and mixed with corn fuel ,wow the MPG's that we can get for that
By PatriciaLV

11/22/08 at 2:03 p.m.

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I realize this is a dirty word to you right wing 'bots but here goes .....

CONSERVATION

IOW, suck it up, people. We do NOT have the "God-given right" to waste as we do. There is absolutely no reason on Earth why people can't conserve energy. This includes NOT driving gas-guzzling, dick-magnifying behemoths, NOT keeping every light in the house in the ON position 24/7, and NOT taking seven driving trips when one or two will suffice.

It DOES include WALKING (as in get off our collective fat asses and EXERCISE), maybe buying those energy-efficient lightbulbs, using canvas grocery bags (or even re-using the ridiculous plastic ones). It also includes planting trees, recycling instead of clear-cutting, and a host of other VERY SIMPLE things we ALL can do to save and conserve energy and resources.

Time to stop being self-centered and think about others for a change.

One last thing, Future; we WOULDN'T be "still 15 to 20 years away" if not for Bush & his oil connections. Every one of the CAFE standards that were in place when Clinton left office were dismantled at the hands of the Bush administration.

We'd have been THAT MUCH closer.
By PatriciaLV

11/22/08 at 2:05 p.m.

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Yes, I realize you weren't talking about CAFE standards but there were other alternative energy initiatives that were also tossed aside when Bush took office.
By lvice

11/25/08 at 1:50 a.m.

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Patricia, Energy is a commodity. If you have ways to supply it cheaper go to it and people will be beating down your door.

Conservation is a great thing and ought to be expected/done but it will take a generation or two before that will make the impact we need. In the meantime we need solutions now and alternatives cannot supply them yet.

Clean coal works, is better than what we have now and needs to be done.

Nuclear is better yet for the environment and is accepted by most of the more environmentally friendly countries.