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Waxman and Markey introduce bill to ban new dirty coal plants

Posted at 10:09 AM on 11 Mar 2008

House Representatives Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) have introduced the "Moratorium on Uncontrolled Power Plants Act of 2008," which would do pretty much what it sounds like: prevent new coal plants in the U.S. unless they're built with advanced pollution controls. Says Waxman, "The altemative is senseless -- locking in decades of additional global warming emissions and requiring greater emissions reductions across the U.S. economy to compensate." Somehow we imagine the coal lobby won't see it the same way.

source: Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

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Comments: (5 comments)

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Don't they understand...

...that these kinda bills are essentially useless they get enough for a veto override?

by Tasermons Partner at 3:19 PM on 11 Mar 2008

Markey/Waxman coal bill

Shutting down all coal plants, not just stopping new ones, is the most important task we have. Operating plants rely on disastrous mountaintop removal in Appalachia. Furthermore it is not clear that this bill would address not just traditional "pollution" but CO2, and whether it would require demonstrable commercially viable sequestration; even if it did, it probably would allow existing plants to continue running until sequestration was available. But we all know that it isn't in the cards in the foreseeable future, and likely never will be. Meanwhile, the coal industry and utilities will do all they can, with phony scams called cap and trade, and useless "offsets", to keep coal plants running. All existing coal plants must be phased out in the coming decade, accompanied by stiff efficiency measures and phase-in of wind power and photovoltaics to replace them,all of which are viable and available. Let's not let the politicians promote energy legislation that doesn't get to the heart of the matter: shutting down coal plants as quickly as possible.

by lorna salzman at 10:53 AM on 12 Mar 2008

Only Way To Eliminate Coal Mines

I fully agree that all coal plants should be closed ASAP. However, the only way that's going to happen is if people stop using so much electricity. Unfortunately, people are doing just the opposite. Exhibit 1, Las Vegas. In addition to this type of waste and light pollution, massively bright street lights, energy sucking toys like big screen TVs, etc.

Until people evolve enough to stop acting like this, we need government regulation that prohibits using more than a certain amount of energy. Now THAT would be a good use of governmental power.

by Wolverine at 2:52 PM on 12 Mar 2008

natural gas can displace coal

by sunflower at 3:01 PM on 12 Mar 2008

Renewables are better...

natural gas can displace coal

So can wind, solar, wave, geothermal, and landfill gas...and they're renewable!

by Tasermons Partner at 1:14 PM on 13 Mar 2008

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