Clean Coal Gets Dirtier, Lobbyists Resort To Forgery

------------"For those who aren't sure what clean coal is, it's new technology - some in production and others still in R&D that capture pollutants that result from burning coal as a fuel. "-----------------

No matter how you try to clean up smokestacks, coal still comes from strip mines. Using coal destroys the earth, the air, the water and leaves mountains of soot, ashes and cinders.

-------"They're expensive upgrades and that's why you don't see our coal producing companies jumping all over it."---------------

That would eat up profits---can't that. Let's make everyone else pay for it. That way, we'll keep the profits.

--------" Coal's cheap and abundant here in the US."--------

Not as cheap and abundant as sunlight, wind, geothermal heat, waves, hydro, wood, crop waste, etc. etc. etc.

------"Then again, we can pay more in taxes and create a government group to build new power facilities"---------

Or, you can install renewable power yourself and pay the profits to yourself instead of a power company.

Be something that corruption can't make use of and you'll stop corruption cold.

the only way you're going to stop big companies like this is to start using alternative energy sources. we can fight this until we're blue in the face, but if you really want the problem to go away, you're going to have to make the lifestyle changes that align with the values you hold dear. if we stop ENABLING them to do these things by giving them our financial support, they won't have the resources to implement corruption on such a large scale. i don't know when we let THEM become more influential than us, but the only reason they have more bargaining dollars is because we continue to supply them with the revenue. the resources and solutions are out there. at any time you have the option to opt out. if you want it to stop then become the change that you want to see and do something to stop it.

For those who aren't sure what clean coal is, it's new technology - some in production and others still in R&D that capture pollutants that result from burning coal as a fuel. Here's a quick wiki for it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_coal_technology

It's not that the coal is "clean" it's the process of burning it that folks are trying to "clean up." They're expensive upgrades and that's why you don't see our coal producing companies jumping all over it. Doing so doesn't make the company money. In fact, they only spend money doing so... Bottom line: clean coal technologies today don't support an energy company's bottom line.

I understand how angry many of you guys regarding clean coal / coal plants. Just to put some things in perspective, we as americans use ~5000 B kW of power each year, 50% of it being produced from coal. Coal's cheap and abundant here in the US.

Here's a suggestion, if everyone was willing to pay more for electricity and fuel (per kW/hr), the energy companies can build facilities that'll allow for them to utilize clean coal technology. You offset the higher prices per kW, you can use less power - turn your AC to 85F, turn off your computer (yeah, tough), turn off your TV, turn off your radio, what else, don't use your washer, fridge, etc.). The list goes on, but in all seriousness, sacrifices need to be made by all parties.

Then again, we can pay more in taxes and create a government group to build new power facilities.

Options are pretty grim for all parties.

Well, there is WHITE CHOCOLATE......

Whats CLEAN COAL? That an oxi-moron. And so was the Co. that tried to do this.

Exactly right!

@GravityMan

... All too often we display our greed and ignorance.

When we dig up the ground that separates us from the earth's core and then pump up the oil that keeps the tectonic plates greased it just sort of makes us look stupid.

I hate it when that happens.

If we know better our representives do too. We need to let them know we are watching them with elections in mind.

lobbyist resort to forgery? if theres evidence of of this why arent they being aressted? o wait .. they have MONEY!
CLEAN COAL ISENT CLEAN
they just want money.

Remember in "It's a Wonderful Life" when Jimmy Stewart came to his senses and returned to his loving family in Bedford Falls?

Well, folks, it looks like Angel Clarence has gone on vacation, the U.S. is now Potterville, and George Bailey's body is floating out to sea in a polluted river.