clean coal
gregladen | August 24, 2017It suddenly became apparent, just a couple of days ago when President Trump was ranting and raving at a political rally, that the man does not know what clean coal is.
This is a concern because his entire energy policy stems from the assumption that we can mine lots of coal in West Virginia and use that for energy, that this is OK because it will be clean coal.
The term clean coal has been used in three ways, but really, is correctly used in only one way (number 2 of the three below), and when used that way, it is still bogus.
1) The term clean coal, or phrases very close to it, have been…
gregladen | January 12, 20144-methylcyclohexane methanol is a chemical used to clean coal before it is burned. As you know a region of southern West Virginia where upwards of 100,000 people live has been affected by a spill of this chemical; the water supply in this area has been made unavailable for human use. A 48,000 gallon storage tank for 4-methylcyclohexane methanol has been leaking the chemical into the Elk River, which is part of the municipal water supply in the area.
Apparently there isn't a lot known about this particular chemical. It's chemical name is scary looking, and resembles the names of other better…
illconsidered | November 7, 2011Paul Krugman has some optimistic economic commentary on solar energy in the NYT today, titled "Here comes solar energy".
It can not be emphasized enough, his points about indirect subsidies to dirty energy sources in the form of shifting the indirect social costs (health and environmental damage) of coal and fracking onto the public. The playing field is not level and tipped in precisely the wrong direction if we are serious about a better future for ourselves and the planet.
illconsidered | December 25, 2009Happy Holidays to all regular and part time readers out there!
Frosty the Coalman, is a jolly happy soul,
He's abundant here in America and he helps our economy roll.
Frosty the Coalman's getting cleaner every day
He's affordable and adorable and helps workers keep their pay.
There must have been some magic in clean coal technology,
For when they looked for pollutants there were nearly none to see.
Oh, Frosty the Coalman, is a jolly happy soul,
He's abundant here in America and he helps our economy roll.
Thumpity thump thump, thumpity thump thump look at Frosty go,
Thumpity thump thump,…