[DanZ]

1/3 of the cost of my coal plant in Virginia (part of a nonprofit generation pool) was the scubbers. It's sunk cost. I don't want my plant shut down over a hobgoblin (global warming) after we spent our money to solve an actual problem (acid rain).

The most cost efficient Power Plants are

1. Nuclear - issues associated with waste storage are solvable but not political acceptable due to fear mongering

2. Coal - two solutions, pulverizing and cleaning coal prior to burning and then Scrubbers for Sulfur removal

3. Natural Gas power plants - Need pipelines to facilities - This leaves the NorthEast Commie country in deep doodo

[bray]

All of your hurdles are roadblocks from the left. Fearmongering works extremely well especially if you start it with the words Science says...

[palmer]

Nuclear has cost issues from overregulation. Some coal has indirect subsidies (health care for underground mining). Coal needs to be mined more safely, mainly mountaintop "removal" which is in fact not removal, just safer mining. It's also twice as productive as underground mining.

I agree about the cost effectiveness of natural gas. I think all three could be made more cost effective. But the one you left out is the most cost effective, which is hydro.