Our Future Does Not Depend on the Coalfield
New, clean energy sources are being rapidly developed and deployed , and
the energy efficiency market is exploding. We need not be destined to repeat the same mistakes
with coal that we’ve made with oil, relying for too long on an energy source
that is bankrupting our pocketbooks and our environment. More communities
are building the way to a coal-free future in which electricity costs are low,
emissions are dramatically reduced, and the lights are indeed still on. One shining example: the town of Rock Port,
Mo., recently announced that it will become the first in America to meet 100
percent of its electricity needs with wind power, which will also create
additional revenue for its tax base.
Sign up for the OV Daily Newsletter
OV Social
I have a unique perspective on this - I have worked at a power plant. I remember when power plants burned oil as a backup here in southern California - these days, they only burn natural gas.
Coal can be, and should be, cleaned up. But no more coal - fired power plants are needed. If anything, the best source of power is not coal, natural gas, or oil, but nuclear power .
Coal power is good for the economy in a number of ways, no, we are not dependent on it, we won't all drop dead if we don't have it, but coal powerplants would be a major imployer in the midwest where unemployment is highest in the nation... Also, as John McCain said, energy, and American energy, of any sort is a plus. America has a large percentage of it's energy imported. We need to become energy indepent, for the sake of our nation! Yes, I believe in wind, solar, and hydroelectric energy, but I also believe in coal, natural gas, AMERICAN oil, and nuclear power.