Archive for August, 2011

Clean Coal Technology Mobile Classroom Heads Out to the Ball Game in the Keystone State

Batter up! The Clean Coal Technology Mobile Classroom headed to Medlar Field at Lubranio Park earlier this week to visit with fans at the State College Spikes minor league baseball game. By the end of the game, we had hosted hundreds of visitors into the Classroom, and more than a quarter of the crowd was sporting clean coal hats and shirts.  It was great to see Pennsylvanians enjoying summertime and stopping by the Mobile Classroom to learn more about clean coal technology in their state.

Last week, our team was on the ground in Somerset County and made stops at the nearby Meyersdale Farmers Market, a local barbershop, and several local restaurants.  The main thing that we continue to hear is that more and more people are worried that EPA regulations could impact these parts of Pennsylvania.  Many people in this county work in the coal industry in some capacity, and many people that we’re talking to have expressed concern about keeping electricity costs low and keeping jobs safe.

“Coal is our life-blood in these parts,” said Carl, a third-generation miner. “If the industry goes under, we’ve got nothing else.”  According to initial findings from a National Economic Research Associates study, proposed EPA regulations would increase electricity rates up by 17.1 percent. In addition to higher electricity rates, approximately 59,000 jobs would be lost.

Elected officials and candidates visited the classroom this week to learn more about clean coal technology, and stressed the important role that coal plays in the economy. John Vatavuk, a Somerset County Commissioner, and Susan Will, a candidate running for Recorder of Deeds, shared their support for coal and the Classroom.

We’re looking forward to seeing more Keystone State residents as our time here continues.

To help fight to protect Pennsylvania jobs, sign the petition here.

31 August 2011, 1:43 pm | Posted in Affordability, Clean Coal Technology and Research, In the States, Jobs, National Affairs, Policy and Legislation | No comments »

The Coal Wire: Democrats, Republicans, Labor Groups Rally Behind Coal

Coal has always been an important part of America’s energy portfolio, but it is hardly something that should be considered a fuel of the past. Americans know that today, clean coal technology  is essential in driving the United States’ energy future. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, businessmen and labor groups all support coal – which provides nearly half of America’s power.

Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers are working together to ensure a strong coal industry in America, which can be seen in excerpts from this story from Greenwire, and this in Politico Pro [subscription required]:

“Coal is a vital resource today and will be long into the future…I believe that we must use coal better and in cleaner ways, and the technology already exists to accomplish this important goal” – Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.)

“As lawmakers, we should be encouraging job creation and expansion, not fighting to end American industries…West Virginia’s lifeblood is coal, which means jobs for many hardworking people throughout our state.” – Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.)

It’s not just lawmakers who support the industry. Labor groups see the importance of investing in the industry to help the more than 400,000 industry and industry support workers across the country.

“Here are a few facts that he should know: Coal use is getting cleaner every day, and the fact is that without coal, the ability of our nation to generate anything like the energy we need will be nonexistent. It is in our nation’s best economic, strategic and long-term interests to do all we can to continue developing carbon capture and storage technology so that we can continue to use our most abundant natural resource: coal.” – United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts

The Obama Administration has joined this chorus in support of coal, and has put the money behind its belief. The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced 16 projects aimed at developing carbon capture technologies from coal-fired power plants, with these projects receiving more than $41 million over three years. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu stressed the important of carbon capture technology, saying:

“Charting a path toward clean coal is essential to achieving our goals of providing clean energy, creating American jobs, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It will also help position the United States as a leader in the global clean energy race.”

To help keep the coal industry strong and jobs safe in America, visit America’s Power on Facebook.

30 August 2011, 4:06 pm | Posted in Clean Coal Technology and Research, In the States, Jobs, National Affairs, Policy and Legislation, Reliability | No comments »

ACCCE Responds to Rep. Conyers Comments on Coal and Clean Coal Technology

Alexandria, Va. – The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity today responded to comments made by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) yesterday that were critical of coal.  According to media reports, Congressman Conyers in speaking to an EPA Environmental Justice Conference, said that the coal industry should be shut down and that “clean coal” does not exist.  In response to the Congressman’s comments, ACCCE Senior Vice President Evan Tracey issued the following statement:

“Congressman Conyers’ unfortunate statements do not reflect the reality of today’s coal industry, and totally ignore the successful track record of clean coal technology.  In large part because of investments in clean coal technology, major air pollutants from coal-fueled power plants traditionally controlled under the Clean Air Act are more than 80 percent lower than 30 years ago, per unit of electricity generated.  The United States is a global leader in the development of clean coal technology, and with continued private-public sector partnerships, we can accelerate the widespread commercial deployment of these technologies and continue the progress toward electricity generation with near zero emissions.  The Clean Coal Technology program created by Congress decades ago has paid real dividends for taxpayers and the environment.

Further, using coal–our most abundant domestically-produced fuel that is responsible for nearly half of America’s electricity–we can provide affordable, reliable electricity and create more jobs.  We look forward to continuing to share these facts with Congressman Conyers, and all federal and state policymakers, because coal is essential to promoting greater economic prosperity and more energy security for our nation.

26 August 2011, 2:26 pm | Posted in ACCCE News, Policy and Legislation | No comments »

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