December 1, 2008

Change is coming

Dr. Robert Peltier, PE

An historic election is over and the people have spoken. President-elect Obama and an expanded congressional majority will now rebalance the economic and environmental importance of coal-fired generation in this country differently than ever before, and that change is unsettling to many. When the expected costs of the anticipated new policies are counted, I predict many voters will experience a severe case of buyer’s remorse.

I realize that campaign promises are ethereal, and actual policies will surely morph in reaction to the political realities facing a new president and a Congress with its own agenda. Regardless, I believe President-elect Obama was serious about his energy campaign promises and their high priority in the first year of his administration. We’ll soon see if these policies will pass muster with the electorate, given our lackluster economy, already pinched consumer spending, and a Congress that has the lowest approval rating in history. If voters were loath to approve school bonds nationwide, then wait until they get a good look at the following coal-fired power policy proposals.

We’ll soon see if Obama’s policies will pass muster with the electorate, given our lackluster economy, already pinched consumer spending, and a Congress that has the lowest approval rating in history.

King Coal’s castle is under siege

During an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle on January 17 of this year, Senator Obama said, "Let me sort of describe my overall policy. If somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it’s just that it will bankrupt them because they’re going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that’s being emitted. That will also generate billions of dollars that we can invest in solar, wind, biodiesel, and other alternative energy approaches."

Vice President – elect Biden also chimed in on this topic during the campaign. When asked about his support of clean coal technologies, he responded, "We’re not supporting clean coal." I actually think this pithy statement was a gaff. But with Biden, you can never be sure.