Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jack Straw on August 15, 2012 at 5:23am

Thanks to you for providing this tangible example of the many contributions (present and future) that are coming out of the ground in PA, OH, WV (and NY. once they get their heads screwed on right).

 

JS

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Permalink Reply by Frank Walker on August 15, 2012 at 7:17am

It's not gonna happen any time soon.  The environ-nuts see this air pollution reduction as BAD news, not good.  Reason?

Success against pollution using any kind of fossil fuel is a negative for them.  It mitigates against use of their beloved (but hopeless) wind and solar solutions.  And they are fixated on wind and solar.

Never forget:  Only rational people see the benefits of natural gas.  Fanatical extremists do not see it.   

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Permalink Reply by craig on August 15, 2012 at 10:11am

Jack, you are the true optimist! I'm not sure that enough of the NY folks can get their heads screwed on right to make a difference.

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Permalink Reply by Dan on August 15, 2012 at 5:03pm

It's just not the air.

Lit­tle Blue Run coal ash pond viewed from space

Prettiest lake in all the land

I'm for the development of all sources of energy, the truly greener the better.  With clean burning NG power plants we won't get these pretty metal­lic turquoise blue impound­ment ponds like  First Energy’s Lit­tle Blue Run coal ash dump on the bor­der of Penn­syl­va­nia and West Vir­ginia which takes waste from the company’s Bruce Mans­field coal burn­ing power plant in Ship­ping­port, Pa.  This is the largest coal ash impound­ment pond in the world, ordered shut down by 2016 by PA DEP last July.  This is 800 acres of unlined impound­ment on the surface.   Once again this is one of many unlined impound­ment ponds which holds concentrated burnt coal ash.  Coal ash contains heavy metals, uranium and thorium.  A landfill for a typical coal fired power plant (500-1000 Megawatts) requires about 30 to 60 hectares (74 to 148 acres).  These landfills range from about 4 to  80 hectares (10 to 197 acres) and may be as much as 9 m (30 ft) deep.  Again, the sludge ponds and dumps are on the surface.  Did the coal ash activist bandwagon lose a wheel, or does the anti-fracing band wagon have more bling and I-Pod ports?  

 

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Permalink Reply by Jack Straw on August 16, 2012 at 5:28am

Dan,

        Thanks to you for bringing this issue to our collective attention.

Perhaps someday technology and demand will allow solar/wind/biofuel to be economically viable.

Until then, we have a bountiful supply of Clean, Green Natural Gas.

I am appalled to observe the ignorance of those "pseudo environmentalists" who rail against Clean, Green Natural Gas.

As a true environmentalist, I would like to see Clean, Green Natural Gas displace those forms of energy that can readily be seen as damaging to the environment.

 

All IMHO,

                 JS

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Permalink Reply by Frank Walker on August 16, 2012 at 6:31am

Excellent information, Dan, and scary.  One of these things let loose down south.  There was hell to pay.

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Permalink Reply by John OBrien, landowner advocate on April 30, 2013 at 12:46am

I'm ashamed of Ohio's position on this list.  It is due in part to coal fired power plants.  Yes, some have put in the "clean burning" technology, but others are still pumping out the mercury because they "buy" emissions points from the plants that have updated.  The power companies will never do anything to hurt their bottom line unfortunately.  The plant that sends my power through South Central Power is still a "dirty" coal plant.

In addition, the mercury has not magically disappeared from the "clean" coal fired plants.  It is now hauled away in the gypsum to be hidden in drywall products.  (don't let your baby chew on the walls)

The worst mistake lawmakers could ever make would be to give in to the lobbyists and repeal the clean air standards.  

All just my opinion, I'm sure not everyone agrees.

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