Why, after untold $100′s of millions spent in development, decades of recurring DOE grants, numerous subsidized demonstration plants, endless conferences attended by the 1000′s, acquisition and development of core technologies by the likes of GE, Siemens, and Shell, plus the voluminous rhetoric from all corners extolling the virtues of superior clean coal technology (including even the grudging support from the environmental community), is this stuff still sitting on the launch pad waiting for ignition?
In his book “Blackout”, Richard Heinberg concludes……..”There isn’t nearly as much coal left as most people think. “Clean coal” will run down limited reserves even faster. If humanity doesn’t begin massive, sustained investment in renewable power sources immediately, civilization could be at risk before the end of the century. And that’s without considering the impacts of climate change.”
…the technology already exists to make huge reductions in greenhouse emissions from coal, allowing power companies to begin cutting the carbon footprint of coal today. Instead, advanced-technology coal power sits on the shelf while regulators wait to see what happens with a project that may be just an expensive boondoggle.
For real change to happen on energy policy, we need federally mandated energy portfolio standards, including one for clean coal, with big teeth and no safety valves. It will cost what it needs to cost in order get clean energy and we’ll all adjust to this new reality accordingly. Our newly minted President Obama has arrived in Washington at a time in our history when the country if open to changes, even big changes. Time will tell if the man from Yes-We-Can can turn his mandate into a Yes-You-Will for the energy industry.
Continue reading about Getting Clean Coal Done – Yes You Will
With real clean coal plants using gasification there’s no ash sludge, no “wet dump” containment ponds, no soluble toxics, and no risk of billions of gallon of ash spills in Harriman or other town.
Continue reading about Clean Coal Says No To Future Ash Spills
