Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Clean Coal Myth Proves Industry Is Declining

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 28, 2009 4:35 PM CDT

(Newser) – Clean coal is a myth, and the companies selling it “have their heads stuck in the mine,” Thomas Kostigen writes on MarketWatch. Although Americans generate close to 50% of their energy from coal, the technology is so yesterday—and the industry is not poised to move forward. It “should be looking to invest in its own replacement,” Kostigen writes, “because someone somewhere is going to invent it, and then where will they be?”

“Even the major oil companies are smart enough to showcase their investments in the future by trotting out their alternative energy programs,” Kostigen adds. Coal may be “America's most abundant energy resource,” but it won’t help the environment, despite claims from one industry group. "We should be mad at them, just as much as we are mad at the finance industry that fooled us into subprime mortgages and false profits."

Mining for our most abundant resource.
Mining for our most abundant resource.   (AP Photo)
A coal-fired power plant.
A coal-fired power plant.   (AP Photo)
A flock of geese fly past a smokestack.
A flock of geese fly past a smokestack.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

They are like cigarette companies that publicize the benefits of filters: low tar, less nicotine. Their product is still lethal, mind you—just not as much. Think about that. - Thomas Kostigen, MarketWatch

By joining the alternative energy movement and investing in clean power for us, they could control and shape the future rather than fight for the dark past. China, India and Europe would be our customers if we had the silver bullet to coal use. -

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Riffran
Mar 31, 2009 3:15 AM CDT
because if they didn't bash republican at every turn, all they would have left is their own bitter self loathing to keep them company
Snowleopard
Mar 30, 2009 3:04 AM CDT
I agree with you Rob. Obama was pushing the "clean coal" thing hard when he was in coal producing states. (I voted for the guy, and I support much of what he's doing, but he's still a politician at the end of the day).
Robert_Dada
Mar 29, 2009 12:16 PM CDT
Clean is to coal as ethics is to republican.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne