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Common logic says that despite the surge in interest in renewable and clean energy, coal remains a dominant part of our fuel mix, and will likely remain so for many years. Our infrastructure for a renewable energy grid is in full speed development, but remains years away from shifting the tremendous burden of powering our nation’s energy needs. Coal creates jobs. It’s one of the main reasons why it’s a hard industry to kill. The lobby for coal is very powerful, and even Democrats from coal states are timid in voting against a coal-dependent future.
And besides, wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and other renewables cost much more, right? Not so fast my friend.
The coal industry is subsidized by our government.
If that is surprising to anyone, then clearly the coal industry has done a number on public perceptions. For example: Duke Energy, a major utility servicing several eastern U.S. states, has a power mix that is predominantly coal. It is the third largest carbon emitter in the U.S. The company and its maverick CEO Jim Rogers are rankling feathers in the coal industry by talking about climate change. Other coal-heavy utilities such as Southern Power and AEP, in contrast, are taking firm stances against carbon regulation. In its recent sustainability report, Duke cites gaining $460 million in subsidies for a new coal plant in Indiana from state and federal government agencies. To modernize their Cliffside coal power plant, they are receiving $125 million in federal tax credits.
Why, dear God, why, are we subsidizing coal? Sure it creates jobs. So would subsidizing the roller skating industry.
Subsidies for coal, globally, are higher than the entire industry’s market capitalization, according to Gil Friend, founder and CEO of Natural Logic and author of The Truth About Green Business. Any second rate middle manager or bean counter can make that business decision. We have to pay more every year than the entire industry is worth. Would any business person with half a brain do anything other than SHUT IT DOWN?
Scott Cooney is the author of Build a Green Small Business: Profitable Ways to Become an Ecopreneur (McGraw-Hill)
Twitter: ScottCooney
Comments
August 31, 2009 at 9:48 am UTC | wk writes:
Not for long. In 2015 renewable solar energy will be cheaper than coal. 3 million each from DOE to five solar companies for 1 1/2 year project to do R&D on efficiency. However will remain between 15%-20%. The only way to cut cost and improve efficiency is nano solar cells rolled printed on any surface with 80% efficienct, the same technology used with nano-anttenas from Idaho laboratery that didn’t receive any funding. Funding went to solar power plants R&D, to generate electricity they can sell and make profit
August 31, 2009 at 15:50 pm UTC | Gil Friend writes:
More on why coal is a bad business decision (and why I say “no more coal”):
http://blogs.natlogic.com/friend/2007/09/no_more_coal.html
&
http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/007286.html
September 01, 2009 at 7:18 am UTC | DR Wilson writes:
It is strange how only the green comments get posted!
September 01, 2009 at 10:04 am UTC | Nick Aster writes:
Actually, these are the only comments. Do you have something “ungreen” to say?