Getting coal from mines to your home takes work

Most people probably don’t realize the sheer amount of manpower it takes to get coal from the mine to powering the electrical outlet on your wall. But keeping coal moving is a good thing, as the coal chain generates employment opportunities for folks far beyond the coal industry.

For the transportation industry, coal is a vital job producer. Since coal must be sent to power plants to be converted into energy, it takes men and women to physically move the coal from one place to another.

Coal transport provides jobs today—and could generate even more in a clean energy economy. According to the World Coal Institute, “the way coal is transported to where it will be used depends on the distance to be covered.” And for a resource as crucial as coal, that distance can be global in scope.

Railroad and railway services: Energy companies rely on the country’s vast railway network to move around large quantities of coal. Conductors, engineers and highly specialized crews keep trains in motion while dispatchers on the ground ensure the safety of rail traffic.

Trucks: For shorter distances, truck drivers deliver raw coal directly to the utilities.

Port terminals: In order to export coal abroad, it has to be transported by sea. Flat-bottomed barges are pulled by tugboat captains and accompanied by harbor pilots until a barge safely makes it to the open water. That’s not to mention all the personnel – nurses, cooks, engineers, etc. – that travel with and provide services for the crew.

Shipping firms: Before coal can travel long-distance, it must be processed at a shipping company. Workers are on hand to load and unload crates, keep tabs on the coal’s tracking and logistics and send the coal to a warehouse until it can be picked up.

While clean coal technology is an important part of helping us meet environmental standards, it’s also important to the transportation industry. Commercial deployment of clean coal technologies will allow more people to keep and sustain gainful employment for years to come.

Stay tuned to Behind the Plug as we profile the kinds of jobs that will be provided by renewed investment in coal technologies.

What they're saying about clean coal technology Posted by Steve Gates on 02/09/2010 12:36:57 PM

Bismarck Tribune (2/9): "North Dakota has certainly come out on top. Not only in the jobs and income coming from Great Plains, but in the general development of the lignite industry in the state."

Doug Oberhelman, Caterpillar's vice chairman, ABC News (2/8): "Clean coal plays a critical role in our energy supply, energy security and environmental protection. ... The FutureGen project will demonstrate carbon capture and sequestration technologies that are absolutely essential for the world to realize reductions in (greenhouse gas) emissions."

Cheryl Brannan, Miner in new clean coal ad campaign, The New York Times Greenwire (2/8): "I'm a second-generation coal miner. ... My parents migrated up here only for the coal mining because it was such a good-paying job with good benefits, good health care for their children, and when it came to it and I had the opportunity to do it, I jumped at it.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, the Peoria Journal-Star (2/8): "I welcome Caterpillar's investment in FutureGen and in Illinois," said Quinn. "The company's support . . . is a clear sign that momentum for this project is gaining. This shows that the private sector stands alongside my administration and our local partners to move quickly and effectively once we receive the final 'go' from USDOE."

West Virginia State Sen. Bob Williams, (D-Taylor), the Beckley Register-Herald (2/8): “I think this bill would send a message to Washington that we don’t want to sit around and wait for those permits to be approved. We want to move forward.”

Texas Governor Rick Perry, the Odessa American (2/8): "We’re going to be very engaged. ... Any legitimate form of energy, we need to be supporting in Texas, including clean coal."

What they're saying about our energy future Posted by Steve Gates on 02/08/2010 10:51:13 AM

Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.), the Suffolk News-Herald (2/6): “While many may disagree on cap and trade legislation, we do have common ground on energy. The Administration has stated its support for expanding the use of nuclear power, clean coal and domestic drilling, efforts that many Republicans and Democrats support. Likewise, the American Energy Act, which I supported, is an ‘all-of-the-above’ bill that would increase the domestic supply of energy through drilling and expanding nuclear power, among others.”

Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Penn.), The Times Herald (2/6): “In the Pittsburgh area, Greene County is the highest coal-producing county in the United States. There is some promising research in conservation and alternative fuels at Pitt and Carnegie Mellon. They see the Pittsburgh region to be the energy capital of the United States.”

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, The Times West Virginian (2/6): “'I know that, together, we can formulate a responsible and reasonable approach that will secure our nation’s energy independence, create a cleaner environment and keep our people working,' Manchin wrote in a letter to President Obama. “The Mountain State is determined to help shape our nation’s future.”

WJLA (2/8): “Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire said [President Obama] told coal-state governors he understood their resistance to change when coal suppliers in their states are making money. She said Obama urged them to be partners in developing clean coal alternatives, a proposal that was embraced by many Republicans in the room.”

Newark Advocate (2/8): “President Barack Obama is proposing eliminating $2.28 billion in coal subsidies over the next decade. Rep. Zack Space, (D-Ohio), likely would oppose that idea, his spokesman Andrew Ricci said.‘He is deeply concerned about the possible impact on Ohio's coal industry. Congressman Space remains strongly committed to ensuring that coal continues to be a key part of our energy policy. Any attempt to undercut funds for this industry is absolutely a step in the wrong direction,’ Ricci said."

Clean coal technology will create a wide range of jobs Posted by Steve Gates on 02/08/2010 08:54:22 AM

Investing in clean coal technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration is a big part of Obama’s plan to stimulate job growth.

But what kinds of jobs will it create? Clean coal will not only generate new jobs, but maintain the jobs that people already have. Let’s take a look at potential growth in various parts of the industry:

Coal mines: Before coal can become clean, we need the actual coal, first – and we can’t get it without the help of underground and surface coal miners and dragline excavation operators. Technology will allow these folks to keep their jobs and pass them on.

Transportation: During the America’s Power^SM Factuality Tour, our team learned that coal transport is a major part of the electricity “food chain.” Coal must be shipped from the mines to power plants or exported abroad – and without coal, jobs at railroad companies, port terminals and shipping firms would be lost.

Construction: Deploying clean coal technology on a commercial scale means building new plants and retrofitting existing plants with the parts needed to generate clean energy. And you know what that means – the industry is going to need some serious manpower to get it done.

Research and development: From our campus blog series, it’s clear that scientists, engineers, geologists and chemists at major laboratories and universities are working hard to perfect the processes behind clean coal. As the technology grows and evolves, the industry will require more researchers to lend a helping hand.

Electricity generation: In order to turn raw coal into the electricity that powers our homes and businesses, it has to go through a power station – where plant operators are standing by to keep that process moving smoothly.

America needs to keep the jobs it has and create new ones, and investing in clean coal is a great way to accomplish both. Check back with Behind the Plug to read more about the kinds of jobs that the deployment of clean coal technology can provide.

What they're saying about Obama's clean coal initiatives Posted by Steve Gates on 02/05/2010 12:22:04 PM

President Obama, the Journal Gazette Times-Courier (2/4): “It’s been said that the United States is the Saudi Arabia of coal — and that’s because, as I said, it’s one of our most abundant energy resources. If we can develop the technology to capture the carbon pollution released by coal, it can create jobs and provide energy well into the future.”

Column, Bill Lair for the Journal Gazette Times-Courier (2/4): “President Obama met with governors this week to talk about the need for clean energy, including carbon capture and sequestration from coal. That’s fantastic! That defines what the FutureGen project is all about.”

Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), The New York Times (2/4): "I just wonder whether they really do understand the importance of coal, the fact the nation can't exist without it."

Metro News Talkline (2/4): “A day after a meeting with President Barack Obama and key members of his Administration at the White House, Governor Joe Manchin still described the discussion this way: ‘It was the most honest, frank, respectful dialogue I've ever had at that level, I've ever had,’ the Governor said on Thursday's MetroNews Talkline. He says President Obama gave him time to address a number of issues that will impact West Virginia including cap and trade, carbon sequestration and the overall future of coal.”

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, West Virginia Public Broadcasting (2/4): “The President has established an ambitious national goal: bring five to ten commercial demonstration projects online by 2016 and advance carbon capture and storage technology to the point where widespread, affordable deployment is possible within 10 years … We’re investing in critical research and development and supporting the testing of carbon capture and sequestration at nine test injection sites through a regional carbon sequestration partnership … That will include injection into at least four important North American geological formations and injecting at least eight million tons.”

Charleston Daily Mail (2/5): “West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin and the governors from 10 other states met with Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and the administration's top environmental policy executives at the White House for an hour and a half on Wednesday to talk about energy. ‘It was the most unbelievable meeting I've ever been in at that level,’ Manchin said Thursday in a speech at the 37th Annual West Virginia Mining Symposium. ‘I got to say everything that was on my mind.’ Manchin participated in a conference call with reporters after the meeting with Obama, but Thursday's comments were his first before a public audience. He gave a blow-by-blow account of the conversation. Manchin said he respectfully told Obama, 'The perception is, this administration does not realize the value of what coal and coal-fired energy has done for this country and will do.'”

Super weekend Posted by Steve Gates on 02/05/2010 11:38:49 AM

Depending on where you live in the country, you are either making your final plans for the big game, preparing for a major snow storm, or both. As die-hard Steelers fan, I have to say that I’m not nearly as excited for the Super Bowl as I was this time last year, but I would like to congratulate the fans of both the Saints and the Colts for their teams making it this far.

Growing in Pittsburgh, you can’t help being a die-hard Steelers football fan. So imagine my reaction when I saw Lynn Swann (Super Bowl X MVP) on the floor of a national political convention in person. At first I was a bit star struck, but I quickly remembered that #88 also ran for Governor of Pennsylvania and he may be able to provide his own unique perspective on our country’s energy future. After getting up the nerve to ask Mr. Swann if we could ask his a few questions on camera, this is what he had to say.

Have a fun and safe weekend, and good luck to both teams this Sunday!

What they’re saying about Obama’s energy plan Posted by Steve Gates on 02/04/2010 01:39:16 PM

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, the Missoulian (2/3): “There was very little disagreement that we need to move forward on clean energy in this country, but we need to do it in a way that doesn't create costs for consumers and industry," he said. “[Obama] said he believes that coal is the most abundant source of energy in this country and it will be part of our energy future in this country … Our challenge is to get it right ... (and) capture carbon and export that technology."

President Obama, USA Today (2/3): "[I am] convinced that America can win the race to build a clean energy economy -- but we're going to have to overcome the weight of our own politics,” he said. "We have to focus not so much on those narrow areas where we disagree, but on the broad areas where we agree."

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin, West Virginia Metro News (2/3): "It was just a great, great meeting and we'll just hope that a lot of good things come out of it. But I can tell you, I got my two cents in and think everyone else did too."

Dow Jones (2/3): “President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he is creating a new Carbon Capture and Storage Task Force to develop clean coal technologies. Addressing a group of governors from both parties, Obama said the task force will be charged with figuring out how to deploy affordable clean coal technology on a widespread scale within 10 years. By 2016, he said, 10 commercial demonstration projects should be up and running.”

Reuters, (2/3): "The administration also outlined a strategy to boost biofuels production, seeking to nudge the country toward energy independence while balancing the environmental costs of grain-based motor fuels. The moves are part of Obama's effort to gain more votes for a climate bill stalled in the Senate that will seek to boost production of clean, low-carbon energy and help the country reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels."

NationalJournal.com (2/3): “President Obama today announced a multi-agency effort to expand U.S. biofuels production and accelerate the development of technologies to capture and sequester greenhouse-gas emissions from coal-fired power plants.The president also unveiled a clean coal technology plan aimed at opening five to 10 carbon capture and storage demonstration projects by 2016 and developing affordable capture and storage technologies within 10 years.”

White House statement, MSNBC (2/3): "Rapid development and deployment of clean coal technologies, particularly carbon capture and storage (CCS), will help position the U.S. as a leader in the global clean energy race."

Politico (2/4): “Hoping to increase support in the Senate for his stalled energy bill, President Barack Obama on Wednesday outlined a new strategy to boost biofuels production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions with clean coal technology.”

Billings Gazette (2/4): “During a White House meeting on Wednesday, Gov. Dave Freudenthal advocated erasing federal requirements that power companies seeking to build transmission lines on public land must first examine alternate routes on private land. Freudenthal and 10 other state governors also discussed coal usage, carbon sequestration and a wide range of other energy topics during the meeting with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.”

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Time Magazine (2/4): "Every American is anxious to have an energy and fuel agenda that puts us back in control of our own energy and fuel future," he said. "[This is a] clear pathway to energy security."

A busy week in energy news Posted by Steve Gates on 02/04/2010 12:31:01 PM

There have been so many positive stories regarding the energy industry this week, and it’s been exciting for us to watch. One of the biggest announcements came yesterday when President Obama announced the creation of an interagency task force whose goal is shepherding five to 10 commercial demonstrations of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology by 2016, according to E&E News.

A few of the other stories that our readers may find of interest include:

From Time: A New Clean Economy – With Old Sources of Energy

From MetroNews of West Virginia: Governor Talks With President About Energy

From Reuters: Obama Eyes Biofuels, Clean Coal In New Climate Push

From USA Today: Obama: U.S. 'Can Win The Race' For Clean Energy Economy

From Politico: Obama Plots New Energy Path

Obviously, we are encouraged to see so many stories that demonstrate the administration’s support for clean coal technology – and it’s clear from these stories that clean coal technologies will play a major role in a diverse energy portfolio for decades to come.

For a complete list of all the stories that impact the coal-based electricity industry, make it a habit to regularly check out the news page on AmericasPower.org.

Clean coal can create new jobs, preserve existing ones Posted by Steve Gates on 02/03/2010 05:27:07 PM

As President Obama mentioned in his State of the Union address last week, sources of electricity production like wind, solar, natural gas and renewable and clean coal are inexorable parts of this country’s energy future as a way to create green jobs. For the United States to achieve energy independence and to lead the global marketplace in clean energy jobs, all of our energy resources must be part of the solution.

By investing in energy innovations such as clean coal technology, we can preserve the good jobs we already have and expand the American workforce for decades to come.

According to a study by Pennsylvania State University, if coal production was to disappear completely, more than $1 trillion of gross output – including 6.8 million jobs – would be lost directly and indirectly from the economy of the contiguous United States in 2015.

Compare that to the landscape with the deployment of clean coal technologies like carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) on a commercial scale.

Constructing 100 power plants equipped with CCS could generate up to $1 trillion of economic output and create between 5 and 7 million man-years of employment and a quarter of a million permanent jobs, as reported by BBC Research and Consulting in a 2009 study.

As you can see, keeping coal in our nation’s energy mix allows for economic growth helps to protect the environment all while ensuring the many valuable American jobs that coal already has provided.

Note: These studies were commissioned by ACCCE.

ACCCE Statement on New White House Task Force on Clean Coal Technology Posted by Steve Gates on 02/03/2010 05:13:42 PM

Click here to read the statement on behalf of Stephen L. Miller, president and CEO of the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE), on the White House's announcement of the creation of a federal inter-agency task force on carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.