Saturday, July 31, 2010

America Can Break Its Coal Addiction! (Or: no, coal isn’t necessary)

by A Siegel

Too many people think that coal is an inevitable part of our energy future ... indefinitely.

This is not just reckless in global warming terms, the statements of inevitability are false -- we have a choice and can eliminate coal from our electricity equation if we wish to ...

Just a very simple outline of how the United States could, without Herculean efforts, eliminate coal-fired electricity from the electrical system by 2030.

And, do so while improving the economy.

Very simply, about 45 percent of US electricity comes from coal at this time. This is a serious portion of the overall US carbon load. It is also a major source of mercury and other pollutants worsening our lives. And, just remember, clean coal is like dry water -- it simply doesn't exist other than in advertising slogans.

So, how can we eliminate the US dependency on coal-fired electricity while improving the economy and not increasing dependency on foreign energy sources?



continued at Daily Kos...