Governors: Include Coal in Energy Debate

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2620&u_sid=10267116

WASHINGTON (AP) — Governors pushing alternative energy development are not shying from coal, a major culprit in global warming but also a homegrown energy source and an economic lifeline for many states.

Leaders of coal-rich states say clean-coal technology is a must. Governors from states without coal want more evidence the technology works.

"There's no doubt there's a tension and there's no doubt there is very rapidly growing public opposition to coal," said Gov. Jim Doyle, D-Wis. His state relies heavily on coal for power although Wisconsin is not a coal producer.

Energy tops the agenda at the governors' annual winter meeting. The group's new clean energy initiative seeks to promote renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

"Next-generation coal is going to need to continue to be part of our energy future for this country," said GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, chairman of the National Governors Association.

"It is abundant, it is available, it is Americanized in the sense that we control the supply," he said Saturday. "We would be incomplete and doing a disservice to the debate and the ultimate policy direction that we're going to take if we don't envision coal being part of that."

FULL story at link.

[Radical Activist]

1. Goodness knows that with the millions of dollars

the coal industry throws around at politicians they're likely to be forgotten about at any moment. :eyes:

[bananas]

2. Wrong link - here is the correct one

I searched for it: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1118&u_mod=&u_sid=10264585
Also found it on the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/23/governors-include-coal-i_n_88152.html

[Dogmudgeon]

3. For most people, only Oil is "bad"

They don't know much about coal, so when they see the "clean coal" ads on TV, they think it's better. There is an entire mindset about energy issues that people get from the mass media, designed to teach them to consume properly.

I am not particularly optimistic at this point. The new discussions of energy and environmental issues began about 10 years ago, and next to nothing has been done beyond a few wind farms overlooking interstate highways, a CFL promotional effort, and a surge of soft-focus ads from energy (i.e., oil and coal) companies.

--p!

[eppur_se_muova]

4. And let's include suicide in all medical debates as well.

"It is abundant, it is available, it is Americanized in the sense that we control the supply," he said Saturday. "We would be incomplete and doing a disservice to the debate and the ultimate policy direction that we're going to take if we don't envision {suicide} being part of that."