RIECKEN OFFERS RESOLUTION TO INCLUDE COAL IN ENERGY PLANS

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INDIANAPOLIS- In an effort to create a more comprehensive energy plan for Indiana, State Representative Gail Riecken (D-Evansville) has offered a resolution that encourages the state to take a leadership role to maintain an approach that includes the use of coal.

riecken_2012 (175x220)House Resolution 11 was passed by the House today to encourage the creation of a plan that meets the emissions standards for coal on a schedule that would be more reasonable for Hoosier rate payers and insure coal’s viability for the future.

“Coal is the most abundant, reliable and affordable energy source resource we have in this nation,” said Riecken. “We can’t deny that coal supplies over 85% of the energy resource needs in Indiana.”

In the energy plan offered by the resolution, multiple energy options would be examined including coal, carbon capture and storage technologies and renewable resources. Riecken said that while renewable energy resources are increasing in use, they currently represent just 3% of the world’s power. However, between 200 and 500 years of coal remains to be mined in the United States with even more still remaining in other countries.

“While we work through the negatives and positives of each of the options, each alternative should be considered in an energy plan for now and for our future,” said Riecken. “I don’t think we should get a pass from decreasing carbon pollution from coal, but any effort must not threaten coal production and the jobs associated with it.”

Indiana produces nearly 35 million tons of coal every year. There are over 6,000 jobs directly involved in mining in Indiana and over 28,000 jobs indirectly dependent on the coal mining industry. Riecken believes that federal guidelines that would diminish the use of coal immediately would negatively impact Indiana’s economy and the families of the miners.

Indiana presently only exports about 1% of its coal due to numerous geographical hindrances. Riecken fears that mining jobs would take a major hit without a diversified energy plan that funds emerging technologies while still retaining coal.

“If all coal producing states would adopt a resolution and develop their own plans, together we could positively impact the health of our nation as well as provide long term energy independence,” said Riecken.

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23 COMMENTS

  1. Sounds good and all but your biggest stumbling block Gail is your party leader Obama. He has clearly stated his intention is to cause the coal industry to go bankrupt. So you had best get on board with your leader and fight his good cause to bankrupt an entire sector of our economy.

    • Wah wah wah I’m sure the makers of steam engines pissed and moaned when internal combustion took over. Natural gas is just replacing coal, deal with it.

      • Your really have to try better at your jabs, that one fell way way short. Using your steam engine analogy; I do not have a problem with one type of technology replacing another or even one type of fuel source being the most dominant.

        But it is (in Obama’s aim) a completely different issue when there is nothing to replace the “old” technology. By the way, natural gas can easily power a steam engine. So your analogy it bogus.

        And as IG below notes, while natural gas is cleaner burning it is not a zero sum game. Even so there are environmentalists against natural gas.

      • And when the person who sells you your electricity and natural gas is also using gas to produce your electricity, deal with how much your gas is going to cost.

  2. Gail, if you want to do something about human trafficking, look at Planned Parenthood, Indianapolis not Urbana.

    “…This guy brought in a Korean girl. I had no doubt in my mind this girl was a sex slave. This guy would not leave her side. They could barely communicate. He wanted to make all the arrangements.

    “During the ultrasound, she told one of the nurses that there were lots of girls in the house, and that the man hits them. She never came back for the abortion. I always wondered what happened to her. One of my co-workers said, ‘You’re better off to just let it go.’

    http://www.archindy.org/criterion/local/2014/02-14/nurse.html

  3. Coal is not clean nor is it cheap. When factoring in the medical costs and environmental costs it is expensive. If we keep focused on carbon then the rest of the world will leave us behind. Germany and other European countries are moving ahead in solar energy which will translate to lower manufacturing costs which lead to efficient production and cheap goods and services.
    The U.S. needs to be a world leader not follower in real clean energy. This means retraining our workers for jobs in solar, wind, and other green technologies. Or we can keep on our path to third world membership while fighting amongst ourselves over who to blame for our declining lifestyle.

    • I don’t think wind and solar are really a reliable alternative, useful? Yes. But hardly a couple of technologies as a reliable and continuous power source. You make it sound like Europe has given up and betting the farm on those two technologies. You are wrong and misleading. They are actively looking into nuclear power.

      Specifically, they recognize a better solution from Generation IV nuclear reactors and for a number of reasons. They are safer in design. Depending on the type of coolant used one byproduct is hydrogen. So there you go, easy hydrogen production for the switch to hydrogen powered vehicles.

      Another advantage and this is the biggie; they can burn the hundreds of tons of radioactive waste stashed at various places in this country and the conversion of this waste to power is around 95%.

      http://web.mit.edu/nse/pdf/news/2007/07_ansannualmtg/ANS_07%20%28Carre%29.pdf

      http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Nuclear-Fuel-Cycle/Power-Reactors/Generation-IV-Nuclear-Reactors/

      http://www.usnuclearenergy.org/gen%20iv%20reactors.htm

      http://decarbonisesa.com/2011/05/30/the-case-against-waiting-for-generation-iv-nuclear-and-the-case-for-urgently-bringing-it-to-commercialisation/

      http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/feb/02/nuclear-reactors-consume-radioactive-waste

      • Another point about solar power. Have even thought about how much acreage would be needed? Funny you never hear the earth-doomers talk about that. The worlds largest solar power plant exists here in our country. It occupies 3500 acres to produce a paltry 400 megawatts, equal to about powering 144,000 homes. There are approximately 111,000,000 homes in this country not counting buildings used by businesses.

        Using that solar installation as a guide, rough figures means you would need to use 2,697,916 acres to have enough to power the whole U.S excluding business building. (I’m being generous with the numbers).

        Really its simple physics. The lower the energy content the larger or more you need to make the same amount of power.

        And since you are concerned about the ecology what about all the birds dying from wind generators and solar power plants? And what about the foot prints these installations need to be of any real use?

        Of course the oil based companies get heavily fined for killing a Bald Eagle because its a federal crime but these “green companies” get a free pass. Last I checked we are all responsible under the law and just because your a green company does not give you a free pass.

        And the hypocrites still refuse to remove the plank from their eye.

    • Very dissapointing statement by Gail.

      “85% of our energy comes from coal” OK well with that attittude in 10 years 85% will STILL come from coal.

      SMH.

  4. “If we keep focused on carbon then the rest of the world will leave us behind.”

    Simply and accurately stated. Bravo!!

    Anybody that believes natural gas is the answer needs to take a look at the earthquakes taking place in OK. Then take a look at the Texas counties that produce the most natural gas. The residents aren’t so happy with that “boom.”

  5. I disagree with Gail on this one, but this shows that she’s not just some liberal lap dog like many of you portray her on here. Gail is a very balanced public servant and we are lucky to have such a fine lady representing us!

      • When she disagrees with you she’s wrong, when she agrees with you she’s pandering.

        • Gail has a ketchup stain on her shirt the size of Urbana.

          ”
          “You knew what I was_” …The Lady and the Snake
          posted 8/27/2009 3:40:15 PM |
          2 kudos give kudos what’s this?
          report abuse
          tagged: lessons, song, life, story MsLani

          A young girl was trudging along a mountain path, trying to reach her grandmother’s house.
          It was bitter cold, and the wind cut like a knife.
          When she was within sight of her destination, she heard a rustle at her feet.

          Looking down, she saw a snake.
          Before she could move, the snake spoke to her.
          He said, “I am about to die.
          It is too cold for me up here, and I am freezing.
          There is no food in these mountains, and I am starving.
          Please put me under your coat and take me with you.”

          “No,” replied the girl. “I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake.
          If I pick you up, you will bite me, and your bite is poisonous.”

          “No, no,” said the snake. “If you help me, you will be my best friend.
          I will treat you differently.”

          The little girl sat down on a rock for a moment to rest and think things over.
          She looked at the beautiful markings on the snake and had to admit that it was the most beautiful snake she had ever seen.

          Suddenly, she said, “I believe you. I will save you.
          All living things deserve to be treated with kindness.”

          The little girl reached over, put the snake gently under her coat and proceeded toward her grandmother’s house.

          Within a moment, she felt a sharp pain in her side.
          The snake had bitten her.

          “How could you do this to me?” she cried.
          “You promised that you would not bite me, and I trusted you!”

          “You knew what I was when you picked me up,”

          • IE; With Environmental issues,if you muse.

            Use Robin Hood,and the apple,IE,
            Everybody thought Robin was great,ok,nice story. Heres todays more technical scientific environmental twist on that,

            Robin shoots an arrow and hits the center of the apple on his buds head,the crowd cheers,some ole bystander who observed the shot then seez,aloud.
            “Meah,that isn’t nothing,I’ll best that muse,Robin laughs says be my guest! The crowd agrees…

            The old guy whips out his recurve pulls an arrow from his quiver and shoots the apple,as well.

            Robin laughs in jest,points,says look! You barely hit the apple! Your shot is high and to the left!

            The crowd bursts into laughter,and great applause.

            The old guy,hangs his bow back over his shoulder seez “yeah sure did”. Tells the monk,”you can comfortably eat the apple now.”
            “As, now Friar,the worms been removed from inside it. You may juice it also,just leave the seeds for planting,they are known to cause distressful conditions to some.”

            “The crowd is silenced.” “Robins mouth is open,but silent,as well.”

            Details IE,details.

          • Could be IE? However, I have a feeling the taxpayers involved kinda might be beginning to feel like the,Monk……

    • agree……we are lucky to have Gail and i do agree with Gail on this……..to not use our coal is suicidal……

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