Archive for January, 2011

The Coal Wire: Government, Industry and Labor Support Clean Coal Technologies

During his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, President Obama gave recognition to the fact that any clean energy portfolio must be balanced by including clean coal, natural gas, nuclear, solar and wind among other sources. And in his daily White House gaggle with reporters on the way to Wisconsin yesterday, the President’s press secretary, Robert Gibbs, reiterated the need for a broad, balanced approach to achieving energy independence:

[W]e sort of sometimes get stuck in these debates … are you going to do solar and wind to do that, or are you going to do nuclear and clean coal to do that?  And the President’s belief is with a challenge as enormous as our energy independence, that the only way we’re going to meet that challenge is to do both, to do all of it.

Those who represent working families are also touting the importance of coal, not only as a solution for energy independence, but also as a way to create millions of jobs. The Green Labor Journal, a collaboration between the National Labor College and the AFL-CIO Center for Green Jobs, highlighted previous reports, including a study ACCCE commissioned along with several labor unions showing that advanced coal technologies can directly create 150,000 jobs in 30 states, and support 7 million new green jobs over the next 15 years:

Policy discussions about the potential for new green job creation often focus on jobs associated with traditional renewable energy sources and energy efficiency and conservation technologies.  While our economy continues to struggle with unacceptably high levels of unemployment and declining real wages for workers, we must not lose sight of the potential for a new generation of low-carbon jobs through the development of advanced coal-based electric generation equipped with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.

Those representing America’s employers are joining the administration’s and labor’s recognition that a balanced energy mix is the right path towards energy independence and economic competitiveness. The American Iron and Steel Institute released the following yesterday in response to President Obama’s address:

To achieve the President’s goal of energy independence and harnessing clean energy, we support creating an abundant and affordable energy supply by developing the full range of energy sources available in the United States, including domestic oil, natural gas, nuclear power, clean coal resources, and wind and solar power.   It’s essential that we make all these sources of energy part of the nation’s energy independence strategy moving forward.

To see how advanced coal technologies are helping to create jobs and provide a balanced clean energy portfolio, check out the technologies Mark Dunkerly is working with at CONSOL Energy in Pittsburgh.

27 January 2011, 2:17 pm | Posted in Carbon Capture, Clean Coal, Current Affairs, Energy Independence, Energy Issues, Jobs, The Coal Wire | No comments »

Statement From ACCCE President In Response To The State Of The Union Address

Alexandria, VA – The following statement was released today by the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity President and CEO Steve Miller in response to President Obama’s State of the Union Address:

“Sustained economic growth, competiveness in the global marketplace and the creation of millions of American jobs depend on sensible regulations and policies.

“The most important thing President Obama and Congress can do to ‘win the future’ is work together to create jobs, help families cope and get our economy growing.  Sound energy policies that ensure a vital role for coal are essential to accomplishing these goals.

“In 2011, half of U.S. households will devote at least 20 percent of their after-tax income to energy.  Ten years ago, these households spent only 12 percent of their income on energy.  The affordability of coal-fueled electricity has helped moderate this increase in energy costs, and continued reliance on coal can help the U.S. to recover economically and American businesses to compete globally.”

25 January 2011, 9:05 pm | Posted in ACCCE News, Affordability, Clean Coal, Current Affairs, Energy Issues, Jobs | 1 comment »

Five Ways Coal Can Help Our Economy

The State of the Union address is tonight, and President Obama has made it clear that the substantive theme and priority for his administration will be growing the economy in short- and long-term. How we approach energy production will be a critical part our economic well-being, and it’s something we look forward to hearing from the President.

While members of Congress and the Obama administration will be offering ideas about how to grow our economy today and in the coming days, there are five things you and our elected officials should know about coal and how it can help our economy thrive.

  • Coal Means Jobs: According to a study ACCCE commissioned last May, the deployment of advanced coal technologies would create or support more than 150,000 jobs nationally, and 1.7 million job-years of labor would be created through construction of those technologies. Another study conducted by researchers at Penn State found that U.S. coal production, transportation and consumption for electricity power generation contributes more than 6.8 million jobs – directly and indirectly – to America’s economy.

  • Coal Means Lower Electricity Costs for Job Creators: Providing businesses with a reliable supply of affordable electricity is key to getting our economy back on track so that we can maintain existing jobs and create millions of new ones. The fact is that 4 of the 5 states with the lowest retail electricity costs rely upon coal to generate 80 percent or more of their electricity. The affordability and relative stability of coal prices means American businesses can keep people employed and provide affordable services to consumers.
  • Coal Means Lower Electricity Costs for Families: For working families, less money spent on electricity bills means more money for other necessities. In 2009, over 60 million American households with annual incomes below $50,000 spent 22 percent of their after-tax income on energy-related costs. One of the primary advantages of using coal is its low cost – and fuel price is a major component in the cost of electricity. Coal’s affordability has helped limit these rising energy costs. And that has meant more money for child care, food and other family essentials.
  • Coal Means More Energy Security: Coal can promote energy independence while keeping energy costs low. That’s because America has more reserves of recoverable coal within its borders than any other country, and coal provides almost half of America’s electricity generation over the past decade. The coal we rely upon is found right here at home, and we have more than a 200-year supply based upon today’s rate of usage.
  • Coal Means More Benefits for Taxpayers: In a 2009 ACCCE-commissioned study, American taxpayers see a quick and significant return on federal investments in advanced coal technologies, gaining $13 in benefits for every dollar the government invests. The primary benefit: reduced electricity rates resulting from lower compliance costs as coal-generated plants deploy new technologies to meet air quality standards.

For more information on how coal and advanced coal technologies can create well-paying, sustainable jobs, click here.

25 January 2011, 11:35 am | Posted in Affordability, Carbon Capture, Clean Coal, Current Affairs, Energy Independence, Energy Issues, Jobs | 1 comment »

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