Sour grapes for enviros Posted by Joe Lucas on 12/11/2008 11:03:10 AM

Last week, a group of environmental special interest groups launched an ad attacking clean coal technology.  Some of the environmental activists who frequent our site (why they visit, I'm not sure since they seem to already have their minds made up on this topic) seem to believe that commercial represents the greatest contribution to cinematography since Gone with the Wind. 

This week, we've had a fun little Web feature with the Clean Coal Carolers, and these same activists have found some negative things to say. 

 Here's the problem:  These folks were in no way prepared to have the clean coal message so strongly embraced during the 2008 election.  You'll recall that both Barack Obama and John McCain (who was not known to be a strong supporter of the coal industry) continuously talked about how the use of coal promotes energy independence. And both talked about their commitment to investing in new advanced clean coal technologies to help meet the challenge of reducing CO₂.

Since the election, President-elect Obama has shown no sign of backing off the commitments he made on the campaign trail. 

As for us, we're going to continue to talk about promoting energy independence, keeping energy costs affordable and investing in the technologies that will make coal an even cleaner energy option for America.

Exclusive conversation with CNN expert Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/12/2008 11:35:34 PM

CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider, named one of the 50 most influential Washington journalists by Washingtonian Magazine, is among the best at breaking down polls and offering historical perspective.

In an exclusive conversation with Behind The Plug, Schneider talked with us about the important role that coal played in the battleground states in the 2008 presidential campaign. (Most swing states rely heavily on coal.)

Here's a snippet of our conversation:

Carrying On the Clean Coal Conversation Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/04/2008 12:52:11 PM

While the election is in its final stretch, it's clear that the clean coal conversation is just getting started. Just take a look at the clean coal supporters at a Sunday rally for Sen. John McCain:

You can keep the clean coal conversation going by joining Americans for Balanced Energy Choices.

Clean Coal Stop: Colorado Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/04/2008 12:36:19 PM

The election may be winding down, but our street teams are still out in full force, spreading our commitment to clean coal.

Yesterday, the Colorado team visited the capitol where they visited the Colorado House of Representatives.

They also snapped a few photos at Gov. Sarah Palin's rally, where she and her husband Todd signed a few clean coal hats!

Palin: $2 Billion Needed for Annual Clean Coal R&D Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/29/2008 01:02:15 PM

Gov. Sarah Palin called for an investment of $2 billion per year for clean coal research and development during her speech in Toledo, OH this morning. The $2 billion annual R&D investment is also supported by Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain.

As we grow ever closer to November 4, we're happy to see that the candidates' support of clean coal hasn't waned.

Read more about Gov. Palin's speech on energy security over at The Caucus.

Sarah Palin to Speak on Energy Policy Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/28/2008 02:22:59 PM

Sarah Palin will make her second policy speech tomorrow in Toledo, Ohio. According to New York Times blog, The Caucus, Palin will focus on energy security.

Energy security is an important subject here at America's Power, and we can't wait to hear what she says. Stay tuned.

Related:
National Security: What's Coal Got to do with It?

Joe Biden Supports Clean Coal Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/27/2008 11:13:10 AM

Towards the end of last week, Sen. Joe Biden put a finer point on his support of clean coal by signing one of our clean coal hats. The senator also posed with one of our Virginia street team members at a rally in Suffolk this past Saturday.

With just nine days left in the campaign, we still don't know who will be running the country, but we know what will: American coal.

Related:
Where the Candidates Stand on Clean Coal

The First Anniversary of America's Power Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/22/2008 02:24:12 PM

Exactly one year ago, we launched the America's Power campaign.

Our campaign is all about being a source of information for Americans regarding the security of their energy future, as well as the progress we’re making here in the U.S. and around the world in advanced technologies to reduce emissions and protect the environment.

We see that clean coal will play an essential role in meeting America’s future energy needs. I think what we’ve been seeing in the current presidential campaign—as Senators Obama and McCain (along with the other candidates running for office) talk up the future of clean coal—is indicative of a much larger conversation that is going on all across the country.

More and more, people seem to understand that increasing our reliance on America’s coal reserves to meet growing energy demand not only helps promote energy security and keeps energy costs low, but that it doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment.

For the last 35 years, we’ve increased the use of American coal to meet growing energy needs, kept energy costs affordable and used new technologies to reduce emissions. We can do that going forward—including the capture and storage of CO2 as a means of addressing climate change concerns.

And we’re just getting started. We will continue to further the discussion on the role clean coal will play in building America’s energy future.

Street Teams in Ohio! Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/08/2008 02:24:32 PM

While some of us have been traveling around to the presidential debate sites, our street teams have been in full force in other parts of the country. Here are some photos from team members in Ohio:

We stopped in to visit the Ohio Democratic (above) and Republican (below) HQs.

Our teams also spent some time with the students at Capital University in Columbus, OH. Here's a group of students sporting our clean coal t-shirts.

Do you have photos or stories to share from our tour through Ohio? Share them on the ACCCE Facebook page or through our Flickr group, Clean Coal Electricity.

Both Biden & Palin support clean coal Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/02/2008 11:04:39 PM

Pretty much every network aired the vice presidential debate tonight. But I watched on CNN, which showed the real-time results of a focus group of undecided voters in Ohio.

One of the highest positive reactions in the focus group came when Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to investments in clean coal technology. The Delaware senator explained that he wants the United States to become world leaders so that we can export the clean technology to China and India, which are use coal users.

Responding to confusion over a comment he had made at a rope line last week, here's what he said: "My record, for 25 years, has supported clean-coal technology. A comment made at a rope line was taken out of context. I was talking about exporting that technology to China so when they burn their dirty coal it won’t be as dirty, it will be clean.”

In the meantime, we know Sarah Palin supports clean coal technology, meaning both candidates on stage tonight know that American coal is abundant, affordable and increasingly clean.