Public officials and industry leaders recognize the many benefits of coal. It keeps our economy strong, promotes energy independence and helps keep our electricity bills low. As a result, many people support the continued use of coal and strive to protect the jobs and affordable energy it provides. Following is a sampling of those comments:
Sen. John Barrasso, (R-Wyo.), Associated Press (10/26): “I’m in favor of the green jobs, but I’m also in favor of the red, white and blue jobs that we have right now in the Rocky Mountains.”
Dick Adams, executive director of Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee, The Oregonian (10/26): In an editorial referring to coal, among other energy sources, he wrote: “We need to push even harder to reduce the environmental impact of our energy system,” but argues that “our future plans must maintain the dependability of the system.”
Bob McDonnell, Virginia GOP candidate, The Hampton Roads Virginian-Pilot (10/28): In a voter guide, the publication writes that he “supports a coal-fired plant proposed in Surry County, as well as the Dominion Virginia Power coal-fired plant being built in Wise County.” [McDonnell was elected governor this week.]
Dominick Chilcott, deputy head of the British Embassy in Washington, Charleston (W.Va.) Daily Mail (11/ 3): "Coal is really important to all of our economies. Thirty-three percent of our electricity is generated from coal, 40 percent is from natural gas, 20 percent from nuclear and about 5 percent from renewables. We expect renewables to increase. We think gas has probably peaked because the North Sea gas field is being used up. We have vast reserves of coal in the United Kingdom. We believe coal is going to continue to be an important part of how we generate electricity in the U.K.”
The post What they’re saying in support of coal appeared first on Behind The Plug.
