oilsands

The Trouble with Clean Coal

While the goal should be to eliminate coal as a basic fuel source,
I don't understand why there isn't a huge push to make the current stacks cleaner. Technology exists.

All of this discussion, which has been helpful, points to the one simple, immutable fact. Renewables, esp. hydro, are cost effective, and do not pose the cataclysmic problems of the coal and oil choices.

Converting coal plants to natural gas would be another good step, as the support for Picken's plan to power semis with natural gas does not seem to be there yet.

Destroying water supplies and mountains is inexcusable. Right now, the water on our family's New Mexico land is worth more than the natural gas. That differential will only continue to widen.

Next year should be the year of energy choices, as much of the health care debate will be behind us. (Unfortunately, since the focus in that debate should be on prevention and better care; the savings would be enormous and pay for extended coverage.)