The coal industry has played an integral role in our nation’s history. For years, people living in coal country have built their entire livelihoods around this industry, often working in the mines generation after generation. Due to its accessibility and quantity, coal is often considered our most reliable form of electricity.
Living so close to this industry, I have put a great deal of research into the topic. In looking at the Institute of Energy Research’s website, I discovered that from a global standpoint, the United States has the largest coal reserves in the world, enough to last us another 250 years. These reserves are over one-and-one-half times greater than our nearest competitor, Russia, and over twice that of China. Of all the electricity generated in the United States each year, coal accounts for about 40 percent.
For the past couple decades, the coal industry has spent billions in ratepayer dollars to improve their technology, meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory standards and perform more efficiently. Unfortunately however, it seems that this is still not enough.
Reading a recent CNN article, I was reminded that during President Obama’s first term in office, he had created regulations for all newly built coal plants in an attempt to limit their carbon emissions. Many of these regulations came as part of the stimulus package and created construction jobs in order to ensure new plants were in compliance.
Last month, the president took those regulations a step further, directing the EPA to develop a detailed draft proposal which will establish carbon pollution standards for plants that are already active.
With coal plants being the largest source of carbon emissions in the United States, the president has argued that the benefits of reducing these emissions will far outweigh the costs of implementing new rules. However, few regions stand to feel the impact of these regulations as much as southwest Indiana.
As a lifelong resident of this region, I am particularly upset by the new climate change strategy and what I feel are the continued attacks on this industry. The president’s website states his goal to reduce carbon pollution by 3 billion metric tons by 2030. This is the equivalent of more than one year’s carbon pollution from our entire electricity system. This strategy will have an immeasurable economic impact on Indiana.
In particular, these regulations will drive up the cost of electricity, and in turn, the cost of living in our state. Beyond the burden that plants are already facing, they will now have to spend more money to install equipment and provide proper annual maintenance. These costs will then be incurred by the consumer at a time when many are stretched to the brink already. However, these are just the short-term implications.
Long-term, these new, unrealistic emissions standards could produce a massive blow to our industries, killing countless Hoosier jobs. In fact, many plants are already experiencing early shutdowns. After the first round of regulations, Indiana Michigan Power announced that the Tanners Creek plant in Lawrenceburg would shut down three of its four generators by 2015 in order to help the company meet incoming EPA emissions limits.
I hope that the president will take our concerns under serious consideration. These types of decisions should be made with the input of our Representatives in the United States Congress, not unilaterally by our president. It is my sincere hope that these new regulations can be reined in before any serious, long-term damage is done.
Ron has made some very good points. President Obama is directing the EPA and other government agencies to develop and enforce new regulations that will put the coal industry out of business. Indiana currently gets approximately 90% of its electricity from coal and as a State we have some of the lowest electrical rates in the Nation. Electrical rates in Indiana are going to skyrocket up because of President Obama’s new policies. All of us ratepayers are are going to get hosed and our completive advantage attracting Industry to our State because of our low electrical rates will go away. Not only will be loosing high paying coal mining jobs with excellent benefits there will also be less new jobs available. President Obama’s new policies are a train wreck for the citizens of Indiana.
Regardless of the Obama Administration’s coal policies, or any other future administration’s policies, the eventuality is that humans one day will have to cease reliance on coal, petroleum, and other fossil fuels for their energy, transportation, agricultural, recreational, and home comfort needs, etc.
That day will not come during Wayne Park’s lifetime. It will not come during my lifetime. It may not come during my granddaughter’s lifetime. But it’s inevitable. So, whether it’s the Obama Administration or some future administration, somebody had better start seriously planning for that eventuality.
This isn’t just about coal-fired power plants. Possibly more serious is food production and transportation. Fact is, with a global population of six billion plus humans and growing, it takes one hell of a lot of fertilizer, equipment fuel, grain dryers, and transportation to grow and move food to market. Right now, all that is derived from fossil fuel.
That grammar coming from somebody in that kind of position? Gotta love ‘Murica. Cheap natural gas is hurting coal, not the boogey man Obama. Come to think of it, it’s a shining example of free market econ you guys preach about.
The use of fracking to develop the natural gas and oil is a great thing for our nation. With the use of oil, natural gas and coal, our country can become energy independent in the very near future. We need to stop our cash drain to the Middle East for oil. We need to protect Israel and bring our troops home ASAP from the Middle East. One of the main reasons they are there is to protect the oil flow to our country. President Obama is not taking full advantage of all of our energy resources. He wants to depend on solar and wind to generate electricity. This is a big mistake . The wind only blows 40 % of the time and the sun only shines 50 % of the time. No one would invest in wind or solar if the government was not putting up huge subsidies.
Obama has stated, “All of the above.”
You may not know it, evidently, but there are 2 nuclear power plants being built in the South for the first time in 30 years because of Obama’s OK. He agrees with T. Boone Pickens that if we switch our “big rigs” over to natural gas that we’ll be energy independent, period. 70% of all oil usage in this country is for transportation. I realize you knew that, so I need you to tell me how you feel Obama is screwing up our energy future if you don’t mind.
Your statement “Obama has stated, “All of the above.†Obama has repeatedly demonstrated he says one thing and actually does something else.He has declared war on coal in such a manner (through regulations) that Congress can do very little to stop.
Nuclear plants are fine with me. But most people are afraid of them. If you truly believe that global warming is a problem, then nuclear is the best available solution and it all US made.
Obama has a goal to put coal out of business by creating rules whereby the coal industry cannot exist. He believes wind and solar is the answer to to replacing coal. It is not. People’s utility bills are currently a large part of their disposal income and under the Obama energy plan, utility bills are going to get dramatically higher. In the US, coal generates 42 % of all electricity. In Indiana, the number is 90%.
Obama needs to focus on other issues that truly help Americans. Many people financially are underwater or right on the edge. Americans made a mistake re-electing him to be President another 4 years.
I guess you forgot how the Bush family made a pact with the Saudis to keep this country dependent on mid East oil.
I do not believe that statememt. If Bush did, shame on him.
Tinfoil hat time.
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Wayne Parke, my apologies for misspelling your last name.
Ok–I have been called a lot worse. 🙂
Well said Mr. Parke. Obama’s war on coal is a war on the American economy. Obama is a socialist train wreck for the Country.
Yeah, it’s been wreckin for 5 years now according to some, but it’s damn sure in better shape than the way he found it.
Except for Vectren which has the highest rates!!!!!!!
All politics is local, until your granddaughter has trouble breathing.
Bacon is representing his district as he should. If the byproduct of coal would affect a fetus in the womb, I’m sure he would tell the coal industry to stick it.
Right Ron?
” Americans made a mistake re-electing him to be President another 4 years.”
You didn’t vote for Dubya twice did you Wayne?
Conservative (big C) Republicans made a huge mistake (about 9 million of them)in November 2012 by sitting at home on their @sses. Evidently they were willing to suffer the consequences of even further socialist legislation in order to send the Republican Party leadership a message.
The problem is that I do not see any evidence that the republican leadership has gotten the message. Meanwhile the citizens are buying up weapons and stockpiling food and water. Another three and a half years is a long time to wait for people who believe that this current administration has hidden the US Constitution.
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You are absolutely correct about conservative voters must get involved in the political process and vote. Just complaining will not get the job done. Conservatives must take a lead role in getting their family,friends etc to get involved and vote.
You can bet those on the receiving end of liberal giveaway programs are going to be voting and voting for liberal Democrats. Wake up America! We are being had!
You only “had” yourself Johnboy.
I hope you enjoyed it.
Sounds like YOU are the tin foil hat guy.
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