Discuss: Stopping Coal in Its Tracks

Since this article was written, things haven’t slowed down in the No New Coal Plants movement. Although at least 115 coal plants remain under development, 59 proposed plants were nixed in 2007, and renewables and efficiency programs are expanding rapidly. For those interested in becoming active in the movement, here are three additional links:
cmNOW.org—Coal Moratorium Now! (links to numerous groups)
coalswarm.org - coalSwarm (a wikipedia-style resource on coal that is looking for volunteers)

This story covers several vital issues exceptionally well. It’s great to see discussion of the cons of Big Green’s pragmatic, compromise approach to problems which, per Muller’s quote, require “fundamental change.”

Also great to see more information on the challenges of carbon sequestration. Funny how in a world that seems to be in love with the word “sustainability,” no one talks much about how sequestration is a short-term band-aid and not a sustainable long-term solution. We do not have unlimited storage capacity for a world so determined to continue to grow. It’s just one more techno-fix that most likely we will come to regret when we begin to experience the unintended consequences.

Now, if we can just get more news stories, opinion pieces and discussion about the least dangerous, least questionable, most simple, least costly, most effective solution to our planet’s environmental woes: a conversion from worship of MORE to being satisfied with LESS, or at the very least, ENOUGH!

Dave Gardner
Producer/Director
Hooked on Growth: Our Misguided Quest for Prosperity
http://www.growthbusters.com

This article is inspiring to those of us who are fighting Big Coal in the Appalachians.  I am a part of a local group trying to stop a huge coal waste project.  CCW or coal combustion waste is another overlooked issue regarding burning coal but threatens our rivers and water supplies.  See my blog above for related links on this coal issue.

In Alaska, we are feeling the disproportionate effects of rapid global warming.  At the same time, local utilities and Outside corporations are looking to develop Alaska’s massive coal reserves for domestic power and exploding Asian markets. In 2007, Alaska announced it’s first-ever fish consumption advisories due to mercury contamination, and Asian power plants are the prime suspects. Our efforts in Alaska will be increased connected to those in the Lower 48, and I really appreciated seeing this piece in Orion.

Take a look at the True Cost of Coal.  Booklet available on the web-site:  http://www.mtwatershed.com or coalfieldjustice.org.

Until ALL people in the coalfields unite and say Stop Coal Crimes Now, we will continue to see more mining, new power plants, and vast wastelands of power plant waste.

Beverly Braverman

Thanks to Ted for the article. I’m the gal who leads off the story by getting arrested—a big surprise for me. Am almost ready to file suit against both the Marriott Corp. and the Denver Police. Interesting factoid: Marriott invested $46 million in cash for synfuels operations, got tax credits worth $149 million (a 256% ROI in one year), so that taxable income went from 36% in 2001 to 7% in 2002 (See Time magazine, Oct. 4, 2003, The Great Energy Scam).  Wow. And all Marriott had to do for all that cash? Spray some coal with diesel fuel and call it “alternative…”

Carbon sequestration is yet another boondoggle.  I’ve got PowerPoints etc. if anyone wants them.

My husband, Andy, is working on a spreadsheet to show that renewables ARE cheaper than fossils, when financial shenanigans like “discount rates” and cost of capital and guaranteed rate of return are taken into account.  Then add fuel price volatility, coal freight, CO2 adders, health costs etc. and fossils are WAAY higher.

This is a very interesting article for us here in the Appalachian Coal fields because we are littlerally being dynamited everyday to supply this greater amount of coal. Our folks are not only being arrested ...their lives are being threatened by Coal Empire thugs. Their homes are being shot at.  Their tires slashed.  In WV it is your very life or livlihood that you stand to loose if you speak up.  This ain’t academic.  Our mountains are being declared a “Sacrifice Zone” so people elsewhere can maintain a standard of living.  The DC enviros are cynically attempting to say “well , that’s just the way it’s gotta be”....no thanks!

Exciting times! Shows how much can be done when activists share information freely.  Frankly, the most effective activists I’ve ever met were either low-paid, or unpaid, with a fire in the belly.  There’s also something to be said for not having to “toe the line.” I wonder how much more effective the NRDC’s and EDF’s, with $50-70 million/year budgets would be if they weren’t pushing for half-solutions like cap=and-trade and carbon sequestration.  I am hubmled and honored by the folks I’ve met, especially folks fighting MTR and coal in their backyards.  Elisa Young, my friend and NNCP (No New Coal Plant) colleague is an inspiration, taking on Big Coal with no money, no legal representation, armed only with the truth.

Thank you friends for adding such meaning to my life.