Report: More than 200 coal-fired generators slated for shutdown

The Daily Caller ^ | Sept. 21, 2012 | Michael Bastasch

[Free ThinkerNY]

Within the next three to five years, more than 200 coal-fired electric generating units will be shut down across 25 states due to EPA regulations and factors including cheap natural gas, according to a new report by the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE).

“This is further evidence that EPA is waging a war on coal, and a war on affordable electricity prices and jobs. EPA continues to ignore the damage that its new regulations are causing to the U.S. economy and to states that depend on coal for jobs and affordable electricity,” said Mike Duncan, president and CEO of ACCCE, in a statement.

However, ACCCE notes that EPA policies may have played a role more than 4,800 megawatts of announced closures not included on in their report which would bring total shutdowns to 241 coal generator in 30 states — more than 36,000 MW of electric generation or 11 percent of the U.S. coal fleet.

The most affected states include Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, which will see a combined 103 coal-fired generators shut down.

[Wisconsinlady]

Bgill, why would they do that? I just don’t understand the mindset.

[palmer]

First they came for the coal users and I spoke in favor of screwing them because I used gas...

[KantianBurke]

Not true. First we waited around for George Allen and Jim Gilmore to open up off shore drilling in Virginia. Then we waited around for Jeb Bush to open up off shore drilling in Florida. Then from 02 - 06 we waited around for Dubya and the GOP Congress to open up drilling in ANWR or to jumpstart nuke power stations...

[palmer]

You are a complete idiot.

Under my plan of a cap and trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket. Even regardless of what I say about whether coal is good or bad. Because I'm capping greenhouse gases, coal power plants, you know, natural gas, you name it - whatever the plants were, whatever the industry was, they would have to retrofit their operations.

[KantianBurke]

“You are a complete idiot.”

Anyone believing that the GOP was/is serious about energy policy instead of using the issue as an electoral bloody shirt deserves that title.

Free tip btw - it helps to ID whose quotes you are using.

[palmer]

Idiot. It’s Obama, 2008.

[KantianBurke]

One would find your repetitive use of childish name calling charming but for the fact that it’s probably due to an addition to huffing paint. Seek help or at the very least consult a thesaurus.

[palmer]

I was charitably assuming you were merely ignorant that Obama was coming after your natural gas next. While it is merely childish to gloat over your natural gas, it’s reprehensible to gloat over other people suffering from Obama’s war on coal now.

[MNJohnnie]

Romney Stood in front of a coal factory

Out right lie

[MNJohnnie]

One would find your repetitive use of childish name calling charming

Considering that is the basic posting tactic you have used in your posts around here for years one would suggest you seek a therapist to treat your sever case of emotional projection.

[brightright]

Romney in a press conference stood outside the PG&E Salem Harbor plant where he pointed and said “that factory kills people”. He also said the plant should be retooled with “gas fired” technologies’.

[MNJohnnie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFzYnkBfdj4

watch the video for yourself. If you want to make a case for Obama do so. Do not lie about Romney to do it.

[bmwcyle]

[brightright]

That is so funny. You might want to watch the video of the press conference at the Salem Harbor plant in Ma. where he said exactly what I quoted. “That plant kills people.” “It should be retooled with GAS FIRED technologies.

[MNJohnnie]

Screaming your lie louder does not change your fictions to fact.

[brightright]

LOL If you watched the video I referred to you could see and hear the truth. But then again when has the truth ever been an issue with the liberal Romneybots. After all a man who with his father marched with MLK must be truthful.

[Hoodat]

The most affected states include Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, which will see a combined 103 coal-fired generators shut down.

Four of those five states voted Obama in 2008.

[yorkiemom]

Zero sympathy as a consumer. I get a much better deal using natural gas.

As consumers, we get no choice in the source of the electricity that comes into our comes. If we did, I'd chose coal. It's much cheaper to produce each MW with coal than natural gas. But natural gas is 2nd. All the 'renewable' energy sources cost double or triple that per MW than NG. (I used the quotes because geothermal sources are depleted as they use them.)

[yorkiemom]

Under my plan of a cap and trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket. Even regardless of what I say about whether coal is good or bad. Because I'm capping greenhouse gases, coal power plants, you know, natural gas, you name it - whatever the plants were, whatever the industry was, they would have to retrofit their operations.

The plant my hubby works at, the largest NG power plant in CA - the idiotic cap and trade bill that CA is the first state to implement - will have to pay $48 million next year. Of course, that will be passed onto the consumer or the plant will close. They can't absorb that kind of cost. And that's the regulation that will go onto strangle the rest of the nation...A biomass plant near here that spews out all sorts of carbon dioxide is exempt though..

[yorkiemom]

While it is merely childish to gloat over your natural gas, it’s reprehensible to gloat over other people suffering from Obama’s war on coal now.

Very well put. People in those areas will see skyrocketing electric prices (necessarily, of course!). And perhaps blackouts if new sources of electricity can't be put on the grid fast enough.