Last week, the New York Times called the messages of our outreach campaign “cheery.”
That was an Interesting word choice, since we’ve backed up claims of progress with a strong record of achievement and we have spoken realistically about the challenges that lie ahead.
So while I think the New York Times editorial writer is showing a clear lack of understanding about the commitment our coalition is making to the future of coal, I can’t help but wonder how the newspaper would describe the new ads by the thisisreality.org group (or, as I like to call them, the “we don’t need coal folks”)?
Our campaign is clear about our policy goals. We promote policies that:
- ensure access to reliable energy
- promote energy independence
- keep the cost of energy affordable for working families and American businesses
- create new jobs by investing in advanced technologies to further improve the environmental performance of energy production across the board – including technologies to capture and store CO2 from coal-based power plants.
That’s what we’re for.
But what are the folks who are sponsoring the “anti-clean coal technology” spots asking people to see, feel, and do at the end of their messages? What are they for?
Is it really that we won't need fossil fuels in 10 years? (If so, what proof do they give to support that claim?) Also, why are they so optimistic about overcoming the obstacles associated with the increased use of renewables, but so pessimistic about the future of advanced clean coal technologies that will capture and safely store CO2?
Given that coal accounts for about half of the electricity we rely on each day, and every credible forecast shows coal use growing to meet increased energy needs both here at home and around the world, I suspect most people agree (and polling shows that I’m right on this one) see that coal will be a part of our energy future for a long-time to come.
The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) is committed to the idea that America can have the affordable, reliable electricity we need, with the clean environment we want. ACCCE’s Behind the Plug blog is the place for up-to-date news and analysis on clean coal technology developments and energy policy progress.
We are optimistic about the promise that renewables bring. The promise that they are clean; the promise that they will create thousands of new jobs; the promise that they will sustain our life when coal will eventually run out.
We are so pessimistic about the future of “clean coal” because there is no such thing. Mountaintop removal is destroying our homes. It is literally removing mountains off the map. Destroying streams and the wildlife that live in them.
My friend, that is why we are pessimistic. If you have not seen a mountaintop removal site or visited with the folks in such an area, I suggest you listen to them before you wonder why we want to get off coal and fight for alternatives.
Kayti,
I’d be remiss if I didn’t remind you that we are for renewables. We’ve been saying from the start that it’s going to take all of our domestic energy resources to power the country cleanly and efficiently. The problem with renewables, however, is that they currently can’t provide the kind of always-on, baseload power that coal can.
So the fact remains that coal is currently our best option for meeting the country’s growing energy demand. Thus, we think it’s critical to find solutions that help us use our most abundant, affordable resource as cleanly as possible.
Whoa there Megan, anyone with a third-grade education can tell you that “coal is currently our best option” is an opinion, not a fact.
Brian,
Thanks for the comment, but I think you’re quoting me a little out of context. Coal is currently our best option for meeting our demand for baseload power. Renewables are currently a great source for peaking power.
As for coal’s future role, the EIA’s 2007 Energy Outlook projects an increase in coal use through 2030 to meet the country’s growing energy demand. You can see for yourself here (with a particularly noteworthy graph here).
Just so we’re clear, we believe that we need all of our domestic energy resources to meet this growing demand—including renewables! I’d hate for that part of the message to get lost through selective reading (or hearing).