Tri-State Economy Derives Much Wealth from Coal Industry
Written by Sy A. Ali
According to the International Energy Agency and the Energy Information Administration’s joint report of July 2010:
In 2008, coal used for power generated 45 percent of U.S. electricity compared to 2 percent from wind energy in spite of major federal and state subsidies.
The 2035 projection shows coal generating 43 percent of increased U.S. electric power, compared to an estimated 5 percent from wind, and about 9 percent from all renewable sources including hydro and solar.
The criteria pollutant emissions from electric power plants decreased more than 90 percent between 1970 and 2009 while the quantity of coal burned over the same period increased up to four times. During this period, particulates were reduced by 99 percent. The Environmental Protection Agency in its 2010 report to Congress pointed out that the economic value of health benefits in the United States from these reductions in 2010 was $110 billion.
Renewable resources vary across the country based on climate and geography. Installing wind turbines offshore seems to be the most desirable location. Yet, according to a 2010 report of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Midwest led wind turbine installation in 2009. Fertile agricultural land in the Midwest appears to be a less efficient location for wind turbines.
The National Academy of Sciences in its report last year emphasized that to achieve 20 percent power from renewable sources by 2020 would cost $300 billion, plus an additional $100 billion for transmission improvements.
Wind power added to date through 2009 was 10 GW (2 percent of total electricity) at a cost of $21 billion. This addition was accomplished with major financial stimulus funds and subsidies granted by federal and state governments for renewable energy.
The Midwest was the U.S. leader in the addition of wind power. In 2009, the United States led globally in the addition of wind energy and import of wind energy equipment. It imported $2.3 billion of wind turbines in 2009 alone, which represented 34 percent of worldwide imports.
Renewable energy for electric power, despite federal and state financial stimulus, has not created many jobs.
Indiana mines 35 million tons of coal per year. One miner mines 12,000 tons per year. Each miner’s job produces an additional three jobs in the community. These 35 million tons mined in Indiana support 2,900 mining jobs plus an additional 8,700 jobs in the community, for a total of 11,600 jobs.
Fossil fuels and nuclear will remain the predominant fuel source for electric power generation globally during the first half of this century. Private enterprise and governments worldwide are continually working to achieve near zero emissions from power plants. Electric power is essential to not only maintain but also enhance the quality of life in the United States and abroad.
