Dr. John Bolton at a Power Plant Hearing in Wise County, VA

[draphaelc]

Truly clean coal fired plants are a necessity for our future. Scrubbing emissions to remove Sulfur dioxide and the trace heavy metals is not only being environmentally responsible, but as processes are improved can lead to very valuable byproducts. If the ash is stripped of the pre-existing trace heavy metals, it can be rendered inert material with minimal environmental impact. Preserving our ecosystem and our economy requires sane regulation and responsible conscientious compliance.

[drewmullins1234]

My home town is St. Paul too. I am for the new Hybrid Plant to be built in St. Paul. The benifts will out weigh the harms. You do not speek for the majority of the Appalachians.

[sweeteaglet]

The people need to be heard in these matters. The health risks and damage to the air and environment should be a priority and the Environmental Protection Agencies in the various states need to do what their names imply - protect the citizens. We are having this same concern throughout the country! In Florida,it is a major issue. Respect the residents- their concerns need to be heard and be the focus of the state's decisions!

[jacobc2]

How is he hypocritical?

[BlueStevo83]

I understand the ups and downs of Coal and Nuke power plants. and Myself growing up in Norton/Wise Co. I find it very sad that we are trying to build something like that in the area. I'm REALLY glad im moving at some point soon!

[BlueStevo83]

i also meant to add, STOP BURNING COAL! Nuclear is Much Cleaner, but still doesnt need to be in the area!

[jacobc2]

There is no way in the next 20 years that we will stop burning coal. Its the only thing that is out there that we can use to be honest. Nuclear is nice but there has been a reactor build sense the 80's! Coal is the only real option that we have for now. We need electricity and we need it bad.

[BlueStevo83]

The US is building 3 nuke plants by 2012 i think. and one is just over the mount in NC. which i dont remember but i think they are building one or two more reactors for that plant. or something of the sort. its been about a month or so ago since i read the info about it. for about two days i got on this big kick about coal and nuke plants. you'll learn alot of crazy stuff. look up on it!!

[abovethewaves]

this is textbook NIMBYism. Coal plants poison the living environment and contribute to global warming. Protect the living environment, not just your homies and family peeps. No new coal plants anywhere! we need clean renewable energy!

[MountainCatBob]

Obviously a total NIMBY.

This man is an excellent example of why our country is the largest greenhouse gas polluter on the planet. All the people should rise up and DEMAND that all coal fired generators be shut down--for the good of us ALL, not just the stupid little NIMBYs.

[jacobc2]

We can't shut them all down yet, the only option that is out there that could match the output of a coal power plant is a Nuclear Plant, but that would only make more people made. But by far Nuclear is the safest, cleanest, and best option that we have in this day and time.

[ProStarCom]

Are you crazy???

I hear this all the time from ignorant people. Nuclear waste is the most toxic substance on the planet and is still being held in "temporary" storage on location. There is no long term solution. Tritium or Helium-3 are the only 2 substances that could safely be used for "nuclear" energy.

The multipronged solution is to:

1) cut consumption!

2) install decentralized power sources like solar, wind, tide, geothermal, and solar heat collection

3) STOP BURNING COAL!!!!!!!!!!

[jacobc2]

No I am not crazy. At this time Nuclear is the only option that we have that is clean, safe, and gives use lots of power. We can't use Tritium or Helium-3 simple because they make to much heat and we have no way to hold it. solar takes to much space, wind is a good option but the towers make people complain, tide and geothermal are good but not to the point we need. So that makes Nuclear our only true option. The waste can be used for other things, The UK can now reuse it in the plants.

[ProStarCom]

You obviously don't understand the technology.

There are many better options to nuclear that already exist, produce no toxic emissions, and produce little waste during production.

The only reason to advocate nuclear energy is to charge consumers more money for highly toxic waste.

[jacobc2]

What are these better options you know of?

Solar isn't to the point that we can use it full scale, it takes to much land to match the output of a coal plant, wind takes up to much land, and so do the others. The only thing that is out there that can even remotely give us the power we need is Nuclear. It is safe, clean, and powerful. The only thing that is unsafe from it is the used fuel rods. but there is a solution, Yucca Mountain!!!!!! And for now this is our only real option!

[ProStarCom]

You really are out of touch!

Yucca Mountain was closed down. There IS NO disposal site. Nuclear creates millions of gallons of radioactive water and solvents, piping and pumps, and much other waste, in addition to control rods.

Nuclear is the MOST TOXIC!!!!

Nuclear is Dirtier than coal!

Nuclear is MORE EXPENSIVE than Solar!

Nuclear is DANGEROUS!!!

Why don't you use the Internet as a research tool and learn something instead of simply repeating your opinions?

[jacobc2]

I would really like to know where you get your information Yucca is still under construction! Control rods are nothing more than carbon, you know the stuff you are made out of, at least I'm guessing your organic. Nuclear only creates steam so I guess water is toxic now. Nuclear is by far cheaper than solar because it doesn't require massive amounts of land, and it is not dangerous in any way. There has been only one mess up with a reactor in the US.

[draphaelc]

@jacobc2 Nuclear power, a safe option? Who are you kidding? A coal fired plant releases nothing that wasn't in the environment before hand, although concentration of substances in the ash can be a problem over decades. Any nuclear plant produces a continual stream of radio isotopes annually, many of which never existed before and all of which must be dealt with, even though there remains no good way of dealing with the waste. Coal remains the only sane reasonably safe and most economical option.

[faserkid]

You want power but 'not in my back yard' Get real

[jacobc2]

Its not that, the power isn't even going to the people in Wise CO. its going to the other side of the state, they will never see any of the power.