A Regrettable Choice for Michigan Posted by Joe Lucas on 02/10/2009 10:50:54 AM

You may have read that Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has decided to delay the process of reviewing air permits for the construction of coal-generated power plants in her state.

This is regrettable.

As American automakers shift to manufacturing plug-in hybrids to keep pace with President Obama’s challenge to put a million of these vehicles on the road, Michigan will require a robust supply of baseload electricity.

And renewable resources such as wind and solar alone will not be sufficient to meet that growing need.

Gov. Granholm also set a goal to reduce the carbon footprint associated with power generation in her state. That goal can be best met through deploying new technologies that capture and store CO2, not through mandates that would lessen Michigan’s reliance on affordable, domestic energy resources like coal – which currently provides more than 60 percent of Michigan’s power.

There are currently eight new coal plants being proposed in Michigan. Each of these projects provides an opportunity to create jobs for Michigan workers and ensure that electricity production keeps pace with the state’s projected energy needs. These plants can be retrofitted with advanced technologies to capture and store CO2. In fact, given the time necessary to permit and construct a new power plant today, it’s possible that these technologies would become available for deployment at or very near the time these new plants are put into operation.

Just like the rest of country, Michigan’s future energy needs will be best met by maintaining a diverse portfolio of energy resources. But even with the expanded use of renewables, coal will still need to play a significant role in meeting those needs.

Will Detroit's cash crisis kill the electric car? Posted by Joe Lucas on 11/20/2008 06:12:00 AM

That’s what one headline was asking this week. I hope the answer is “no!”

As you know, we’re big fans of electric cars.

We’d love to see a plug-in hybrid like the Chevy Volt on the road as soon as possible.

Why?

Because the energy these cars run on will have to come from somewhere – and if it is plugged in, odds in this country (and many others) are good that the electricity charging them will be coal generated – greatly increasing America’s energy security.

If that electricity can be produced utilizing carbon capture and sequestration technology, we can also greatly reduce the greenhouse gases that are currently being released into the atmosphere by every car on the highway without increasing emissions in the utilities sector.

That’s the definition of a win-win situation.

According to the article, GM is protecting its investment in electric cars like the Chevy Volt even as it cuts funds elsewhere.

Let’s hope that is true, because plug-in electric vehicles may not only be the future of the auto industry, they could mean a brighter future for all of us.

More on Electric Cars Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/03/2008 10:42:11 AM

Once again, electric cars are in the news.

According to Reuters, European automaker Renault has announced it "expects to sell between 20,000 and 40,000 electric vehicles in 2011, and break through the 100,000 unit threshold the following year."

That’s a lot of electric cars, which is great news.

We've discussed all of the advantages of electric cars before, but here they are in a nutshell:

• The energy these cars run on will have to come from somewhere – and if it is plugged in, odds are good that the electricity charging them will be coal generated, which will greatly increase America’s energy security.

• If that electricity can be produced utilizing CCT and carbon sequestration, we can also greatly reduce the greenhouse gases that are currently being released into the atmosphere by every car on the highway without increasing emissions in the utilities sector.

Let's hope that other automakers follow the lead of pioneers like Renault – it means a brighter future for all of us.

Head Out on the Highway with Clean Coal Posted by Joe Lucas on 10/02/2008 04:41:29 PM

If plug-in hybrid cars seem like a recurring theme on this blog, that’s because they are.

Just last week, Chrysler announced it has been developing three electric vehicles – and promises one will be available to consumers by 2010.

As I’ve said before, electric vehicles are great for Americans for several reasons.

First, the energy these cars run on will have to come from somewhere – and if it is plugged in, odds are good that the electricity charging them will be coal generated. By relying more on domestic coal and less on imported oil, we’re greatly increasing America’s energy security.

Plus, if the plug-in hybrid’s electricity can be produced utilizing CCT and carbon sequestration, we can also greatly reduce the greenhouse gases that are currently being released into the atmosphere by every car on the highway without increasing emissions in the utilities sector.

That sounds like a win-win to me.

We know it’s going to take all of our resources to solve this energy puzzle, but announcements like these prove we’re speeding in the right direction.

On the Road with Clean Coal Posted by Joe Lucas on 09/04/2008 02:45:56 PM

Plug-in hybrid cars very well may be the future of the automobile industry. Just the other morning, Honda announced that it will have a new low-cost hybrid in its 2009 vehicle lineup.

Coincidentally, a great editorial titled “Clean coal will power electric cars” ran in the Des Moines Register on the same day. And the author is right.

As it stands today, coal would provide more than 50 percent of the power that plug-in hybrid cars run on. And as we’ve said here before, that’s great news for all Americans.

Why? By relying more on domestic coal and less on imported oil, we’re greatly increasing America’s energy security.

Plus … if the plug-in hybrid’s electricity can be produced utilizing CCT and carbon sequestration, we can also greatly reduce the greenhouse gases that are currently being released into the atmosphere by every car on the highway without increasing emissions in the utilities sector.

It’s going to take every resource we’ve got to solve our climate and energy puzzle, so let’s hit the road and keep looking for solutions.