Advanced technology in upstate New York

Earlier this week, New York Gov. David Paterson (D) announced his support for a 50-megawatt power plant in western New York that would permanently store underground emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.

The governor said the facility has the potential to "launch exports of advanced coal technology to the rest of the world."

Great news that everyone can get behind, right?

Well…

Unfortunately, some environmentalists oppose the project. The Albany Times Union quotes Environmental Advocates of New York Director Rob Moore as saying, “The federal government has already cut off investments in dirty ‘clean coal’ technology and the state should follow.”

For some people… there is just no way to win.

But I wish people would get their facts straight!

Moore is wrong —the federal government continues to support clean coal. We don’t always agree with how it allocates the money (for example, see my many posts on the zero-emissions FutureGen plant)… but it hasn’t “cut off” one bit of funding.

The U.S. Department of Energy understands the importance of using America’s most abundant energy source and if anything it is looking at more ways to invest in technology to make it as clean as possible.

Comments

[Jennifer Ortiz]

I am so sick and tired of these stupid environmentalists I could scream!!! I love our environment just as much as the next person, but there comes a point were we have to put people first. This is ridiculous now and it's time to push environmentalist aside and do what is needed to be done. Other countries are starting to laugh at our ignorance and quite frankly I'm embarrassed. We have the technology, we have a willing group of people, lets do it! If the Environmentalist don't like it get out of the country then, find some place else to complain about everything.

[William Morey]

I second Jennifer Ortiz comment. It's time for the fuel starved "silent majority" to speak out and bury the vocal, arrogant environmental elitists. They, and their Democrat puppets, have to accept that we need energy to survive. We can’t be worried about some fly or bottom fish when millions of PEOPLE are affected by these stupid decisions Liberal Politicians and Judges force down our throats.
Time is now for us, the working class silent majority to speak up and vote out all these people that are destroying our culture and economic engine. Time for the second American Revolution and throw out all the goofy lawyers that are running this Country—and destroying this Country.

[Wayne Craven]

The energy industry sources must utilize every environmental safeguard available.
Environmentalists are going to have to suck it up. Truth and justice is always somewhere in the middle. I want a clean earth but I want a sound financial climate also.

[Donald Haines]

In 1980 the Federal government funded coal gasefication pilot plants and succeeded at producing "crude oil" at less than $40/barrel. Why aren't these plants operating today?
I think we should lobby for the Federal government to become a "first adopter" and establish government owned (contractor operated) facilities to produce oil for all military and government vehicles from coal. Why is this not on the ACCCE agenda?

[Ryan]

I know, those darn liberal politicians and judges, when will people realize that gay marriage and abortion is causing high gas prices and a failing housing market! Yes! Lets vote out the one destroying our economic engine and culture as a global superpower....oh wait, he's only got a few more months left in office. Unless his twin Mccain gets elected.....

[Sterling D. Allan]

Rather than just mention on your site that coal is not "all bad", because at least you create jobs (hookers have jobs), you ought to talk up some of the renewable methods that involve coal, such as CO2 sequestration by Algae, which can then be used for biomass and food, as mentioned on just one page of your site at present: http://www.americaspower.org/index.php/Energy-for-Kansas

For more ideas of positive coverage and green aspects, see http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Clean_Coal

[Dick Blizzard]

Wind, solar, hydro and nuclear are important for the future, but coal is here now. Coal is the only hope for saving our economy.

China needs clean coal technology to improve their air quality, and they will have it soon. We no longer lead the world, because our environmental idiots now have too much power. We need environmentalist who deal with the facts and are concerned with the stability of our economy and ultimately our nation.

[Kevin Waldron]

Can you give me the name of some of the companies that are developing the technologies for clean coal? I have a little bit of money saved up and would like to turn it into a lot of money. The names of existing coal companies would also help. Thanks.

[David with ACCCE]

Hi Kevin. Unfortunately, we're not here to give out stock advice. (If I could predict the stock market, I'd be on the phone with my broker right now!)

Here's a list of our member companies:
http://www.americaspower.org/Who-We-Are/ACCCE-Members

[Richard Kent]

As a country, our long-term goals should include abandoning coal all together. This may take decades, but it should be done. Modern renew energy and nuclear are better for the environment. Coal usage leads to pollution in the air, global warming, and coal miners’ deaths.

[Jeremy]

That last post was the most intelligent post on this website. Even though coal power may be "emission free", it is still a usable energy source just like crude oil(is a limited resource). Currently nuclear power is possible without any nominal byproducts, and also, once you set up a renewable energy system there is no overhead other than maintanence, but with coal you need to mine it, process it, and transport it.