My Responsibility: Keeping the Lights on, Always

[wturner0018]

How can we say that Co2 emissions should be controlled when studies show Co2 is not related to climate change?

[DrBuzz0]

There are two methods of generating energy that are reliable, economical, scalable to large sizes and not intermittent, which do not produce large amounts of Co2 emissions in addition to ash, sulfur dioxide, heavy metal emissions etc: Nuclear and hydroelectric.

[musicman7505]

Hmmm clean coal? Thats like saying your smoking to get rid of asthma.

[lakewood78]

One of the biggest windmill farms in the world is the Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center in Taylor, Texas. It has 421 windmills (each about 300 feet tall), covers 73 square miles, and generates 735 MW - when the wind blows, which it doesn't more often than it does. That's almost enough electricity to run a city the size of, say Tacoma, Washington, which is about 51 square miles and has about 200,000 people. That is, it would be enough when the wind blows... which it doesn't most of the time.

[jeffreysyang]

honestly, i don't understand y ppl r so persistent in using fossil fuels....

Yes, coal may be cheaper and more "reliable" but coal generates hella greenhouse gases. I am a firm believer in global warming cuz in California, the weather here is almost never perfect anymore. Most of the time it is too cold or too hot.

If u were advocating nuclear energy, i would support it cuz (next post)

[ammonman]

1. "Clean coal" doesn't exist in actuality, only in theory. There's one plant in the Dakotas that is a model of the technology, but it is currently too prohibitively expensive.

2. Baseload isn't an issue once you have a national grid (which we're building now) and once you have enough windmills in enough parts of the country (east coast, plains, offshore, etc.) It balances out.

3. We can see through your corporate propaganda. We're educated and we vote. Your days are numbered.

[UGLandrum]

Natural Gas is better and cheaper than coal, and is easier to capture and separate harmful toxic gases and fumes than coal. Oil has so many other uses other than fuel, we need to use it for what we really need it for.

[soylentgreenb]

Natural gas is not that much worse than oil as a chemical feedstock or transportation fuel. I don't support wasting any of it on the electric grid or for space and water heating.

[spasticteapot]

Until you can make all that fly ash disappear, coal power is a nightmare.

I'd rather have nuclear - at least you can *contain* the toxic byproducts.

[SVBarnard]

Coal and oil need to go bye bye!!! Renewable clean energy is the future!!!! in twenty years coal will no longer be used for generating electricity. They sayt that in 5 to 7 years solar power will be cheeper than coal!!!

[boboelmo]

hooray for coal!

[zzz33333]

Civilization is inherently unsustainable. What are American Electric Power's plans for helping us move away from a civilized way of being and towards the wild world from whence we came?

[cecilbdml]

No, it was due to coal workers unionizing and the bosses shutting down the mines. From then on in, no one would go into mines, only onto strip mining operations.

Using automation to mine underground coal is not only possible, it's proven. And, as far as particulate problems, gassifying it along with non-union automated mining solves those problems.

But that isn't apparently what the unicorn folks want to hear.

[friedie1jeff]

Coal is King

[mediageez]

Of course this is utility company messaging! Why else would they go to the trouble? But electricity users need to know about the benefits of renewable power along with the costs and the reliability issues. Solar and wind are not going to replace base load. Right now, coal is the affordable base load, and we ALL need to start getting on board with looking for another cleaner, and affordable technology. Why sit back and criticize the power companies? Be part of the answer or pull the plug.

[strongmeasures]

Why don't we use fiber optics to transport sunlight from one side of the planet to the other? That way sunlight can power places of the earth even at night. it would be a 24/7 solar solution.

[nataliyaobrown]

because oil companies have no profit from them, tha's why.

[nataliyaobrown]

Solar and wind are not going to replace base load.- wind no, it has negative aspects to it but why not solar? there is really no good answer that anybody gave why solar power cant replace the fossil flues

[cecilbdml]

It's called consistency and production. Solar has neither. As far as the fibre solution to 'pipe' solar energy from one side of the planet to another, ask someone who works with communications fibre and see how well it works for lasers (manmade light).

Short answer: without amplification along the way, it doesn't.

The most viable replacement of hydrocarbon fuel generation, is offshore hydro generation. But no greenie or union thug will ever support that.

[mclefty1]

Nuclear power, bro. Ask a mining engineer and they'll tell you that's the only form of alternative energy that could feasibly cut into coal use in the next 20 years.

[balancedenergy]

Mediageez: Actually, the name of our organization is the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity. Check out americaspower(dot)org for a full list of our members and an outline of our mission statement.

[SaveWesternOHIO]

Al Gore is making sure the purported benefits of expensive, sprawling unreliable wind power are overblown. What we really need is to be careful how we spend our energy dollars, or become an economic underdog bigger and faster than the track we are already on.

[dwetick]

We know why the world switched from coal to oil & gas for heat & power. Coal is bulky, hard to get, destroys the landscape, causes respiratory problems when burned and may adversly affect our climate with CO2 emissions. Mining it causes acid pollution effectively killing everything in our waterways for centuries. Take a trip thru northern PA and witness the results of long ago coal mining. There will never be a clean coal industry.

[SlimD11]

Exactly, I couldn't agree any more.

[SaveWesternOHIO]

There will never be an affordable reliable wind energy industry. Take your pick - reliable and affordable, or expensive, tax dollar suckling unreliable technologies left behind over 100 years ago.

[uk311420]

Balanced energy is nothing but an attempt to confuse the droves of sheeple in this country that clean coal does exist. Hey smart guy sellout- has the coal industry addressed what happens if the CO2 you pump into the ground causes earthquakes or soil subsidence/explosions? Who will take that liability hit? The US taxpayer? Natural gas is our less dirty bridge to the future.

[nataliyaobrown]

natural gas? well what about growing concern about methane, which is seen to be worse then CO2?

[balancedenergy]

uk311420: Almost 41 percent of the world uses coal to make electricity. It's a steady, reliable and abundant source of energy. Right now, renewables don't provide the base load power that we need to meet energy demand.

[4sworn2EnemY0]

Hooray Coal!!

[atomicchitlin]

Comments not being posted?? Wonder why...

[strongmeasures]

I wonder too...I suggestion a 24/7 solar solution that would use fiber optic cables to transport sunlight from one side of the planet to the other...That way solar energy can be used even at night.

[atomicchitlin]

Blow up a mountain - fill in the valleys and streams - spew mercury - poison our fish... 48 states advise against eating fish due to (coal) mercury poisoning - The coal industry DOES NOT PAY the externalized costs We do -- Respiratory ailments.... coal -- Should I go on?

[peadidtwo]

wrap99 you can say that again she neither knows are cares what coal is doing to the enviornment. Im an a professional electrician and we can live without coal!!!!!

[xKingKang]

Propaganda. That's all this is.

There's bias written ALL over this video, I wouldn't trust it.

Delete me comment if you want, only proves a point, however.

[fitzydawg]

Or here's a wonderful idea: Hydroelectric. The PNW uses it. :P

[karmakittenz69]

This is truly horrid how the coal/petro chemical industries are trying to use fear and mis-info to try and turn truth on it's ear. ITS STILL COAL!. You burn carbon, you get pollution. period.

[wrap99]

Did anyone mention the mercury that is released by burning coal? Certainly not emphasized by the coal industry, it is a major source of mercury pollution.

[balancedenergy]

wrap99: Clean coal technologies have been able to reduce pollutants -- including mercury -- by up to 77 percent in terms of emissions currently regulated under existing Clean Air Act programs per unit of energy produced since 1970. Scientists and researchers are working to bring percentage to 100 percent.

[uk311420]

The key word her folks is "currently regulated" mercury regulation has been consistently blocked by this filthy industry. I don't know how someone can look themselves in the mirror after cashing a paycheck from this vile intrest group.

[michalchik]

I don't think these "balanced energy" initiatives are genuine or done in good faith. I think they pay lip services to the development of alternative energy but are mainly just cover ups to obfuscate the issues and promote the status quo. Coal simply can not be made clean and affordable especially when you take into account CO2. Further coal is not necessary for baseline generation, geothermal, biomass, solar thermal salt storage, etc... are all viable alternatives.

[balancedenergy]

Actually, we have more than 200 clean coal technology projects across the country. The Pleasant Prairie Power Plant in Wisconsin has a test site that cuts out carbon dioxide by up to 90 percent -- the question now is how to develop that technology on the commercial scale.

[christo930]

what percentage of commercial electric power is CURRENTLY being generated with clean coal? I can save you the trouble, it's zero.

It's not just co2, it's slurry, ash, destruction of mountain tops leading to chronic flooding and all kinds of other problems, including deaths of minors.

[balancedenergy]

Christo930: There are more than 200 clean coal projects across the U.S. and dozens of universities with clean coal research programs. A small percentage of these projects test the technology in coal plants, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by up to 90 percent.

[christo930]

Admittedly, none of these options are going to be as cheap as coal, but the problem is coal's real cost is shifted into the future and the money that will need to be spent dealing with pollution and global warming. People need to understand that we will have to consume less electricity if we want to have any money at the end of the month.

[balancedenergy]

Christo930: U.S. electricity demand continues to increase even as energy efficiency gains are made. Despite the fact that we are continuing to become more energy efficient, the U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that electricity demand will grow by 41% by 2030.

[christo930]

Solar thermal and geothermal are probably better than coal. Coal is dirty and most of the best coal is gone anyway. The rosy predictions about the availability of coal are seriously flawed. Coal slurry is dangerous and there is nothing we can do with it. Coal ash is a tragedy for the environment and there is the co2 emissions.

[balancedenergy]

Scientists and researchers are working on ways to drastically reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants, and have even extended this technology to solar power. We have about 200 years of coal in our reserves.

[christo930]

Based on what? Is this at our current rate of consumption? Does this take into account the diminishing EROEI when going for deeper and more complicated coal deposits? Does this take into consideration the depletion of high quality coal? Most of what is left is the poorest quality coal and has lower concentrations and gives less BTU's per ton burned. Base load could be met with nuclear, geothermal, tidal, ocean temperature differential and other technologies. Coal should be decreased.

[timetraveler3797]

I believe in nuclear energy for baseload power, there are more danger's in the extraction, transportation, and burning of coal than (more people have died) than in dealing with uranium amd it's by products

[UTubeGlennAR]

My home sick electrons are generated by PPL of Pennsylvania. Starting Jan 1 2010 they are raising prices by a minimum of 25% and that use too use this clean plentiful cheap clean coal too, can U imagine that. Actually PA's coal is said to be some of the best n most energy packed "deep mined" coal on the planet....

IMHO, coal is cleaner than coal dust n that's about it...

[patriceq9]

Awesome video! Keep up the great work. Hopefully people will begin to understand the value of coal.

[balancedenergy]

Thanks for the support!

[MichiganCWA]

It's possible that you are having trouble getting comments to post because you don't support the truth being told about coal. All the ad dollars in the world cannot hide the dirty truth about coal.

Furthermore, more people could afford school clothes if their money was kept local like only renewable energy can do for us. From mining, to burning, to the enormous ash waste created ~ coal is the greatest threat to human health in America.

Censorship of viewpoints shows fear of the truth.

[balancedenergy]

Thanks for this. First of all, our team follows a strict comment policy that we have to adhere to. We want to foster an open dialog about clean coal, but we can't post anything with profanity. To address your concern: our organization is dedicated to supporting companies who are working to make coal cleaner through technologies like IGCC and carbon capture and sequestration. If we develop these technologies on a commercial scale, we can drastically reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

[balancedenergy]

Quick technical note from the America's Power Team: We're having problems getting comments to show up on this video. We're working on getting this fixed. However, our responses to individual comments show up for some reason, so feel free to repost your comment.

[eddiequest4]

uhuh - and mountaintop removal makes the land look pretty.

[balancedenergy]

Well, many energy companies make an effort to reclaim the land they mine. In the Black Thunder coal mine in the Powder River Basin, they are in the process of turning the land into a campground.

[techn9nefan2009]

Oh, ok. I was misinformed about Obama. I'm sorry and thank for for correcting that statement. Have a great day.

[balancedenergy]

No worries -- now you know! He's on your team!

[cubeus19]

Hello, I was curious, how many years of coal do we have left for our energy needs, and what will be our back up plan when it becomes more scarce? Thank you for your time.

[balancedenergy]

That's a great question. The United States has more coal than any other fuel. A quarter of all of the known coal in the entire world is here in America, and large coal deposits can be found in 38 states. In fact, weve got more coal than the entire Middle East has oil. At the current rate of consumption, we are capable of meeting domestic demand for more than 200 years.

[cubeus19]

Hello, I'm curious, roughly how many years of coal do we still have in the US to supply our energy needs? Once coal becomes more scarce, what will be our next plan given that alternative energy sources like wind and solar are unreliable? Thank you for your time.

[balancedenergy]

We have about 200 years of coal reserves in the United States.

[bdist]

Isn't that number for use at "current rates"? What if demand continues to grow at 3% per year? Wouldn't the number be more like ... 70 years then? What are you going to use then?

[RB5566]

Yes, America needs to continue to run on a non-renewable resource and thus continue to pollute the environment.

It's this type of single mindedness that got us into the mess we're in today.

[balancedenergy]

RB5566:

With energy demand continuing to go up, were going to need all of our available domestic energy resources to help meet that demand. That means that renewable energy has an important role to play in our energy portfolio.

However, in most cases renewables simply are not a suitable replacement for coal.

The fact is, we rely on coal today and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. But we have to start supporting the development of technologies that will reduce CO2 to zero.

[order9066]

Right on! Because solar doesn't work at night and wind turbines don't spin when there is no wind.

[balancedenergy]

Actually, our organization, ACCCE, supports renewable energy 100 percent -- we just don't think that coal needs to stay part of our nation's energy mix. It's abundant, reliable and affordable.

[mcchaparral]

The wind blows here in West Texas nearly every day. Granted there are a few days where the wind doesn't blow, but that is rare. Wind energy is the way of the future. It is clean unlike coal.

[balancedenergy]

Like we have told other commenters, our organization supports renewable energy. However, 50 percent of our electricity is generated from coal -- we're going to need coal today and for the foreseeable future. And scientists and engineers are working hard reduce carbon dioxide emissions in coal. Some plants have been able to get it down to 95 percent. We just need the R&D to create the technology on a commercial scale.

[techn9nefan2009]

I'll pass this video on to my myspace friends...especially my coal miner friends on myspace so they can pass it on. People need to know the importance of coal in many areas. I'll do my part to help u!

[balancedenergy]

Thanks for your support -- America runs on coal!

[techn9nefan2009]

I agree with you. I live in Ky so I know the importance of coal. I mean coal companies around hear do alot of dealing with TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) and that's where our power steams from for the most part. I had my miners card, but was unable to land a job. We're in a coal boom that is said can last for another 20 years. We need that boom to continue! For power plus many jobs are on the line and Obama needs to stop with his crusade to abolish coal mining!

[balancedenergy]

Actually, Obama supports technology to build clean coal plants. He has included provisions in the stimulus package and the latest version of the climate change bill to help companies in the energy industry to keep coal plants running in a cleaner and more efficient way. The construction of clean coal plants will bring jobs and help boost the economy.

[CAJUNNSC]

Why no comments? All due respect, are you seriously telling people to use coal...Anyway, alternative eneregy..that's where its at.

[balancedenergy]

We're not saying that we shouldn't use alternative energy -- we actually support it 100 percent. We just believe that coal should stay part of America's energy mix because it's abundant and reliable.

[MudShaShaShaark]

Coal will give us more green house gasses, more destroyed environment and more overflowing coal ash burying communities. This video was almost certainly developed by the coal industry not some individual. A good example of green washing and astroturf movements.

[balancedenergy]

Actually, to get a few things clear: our organization is called the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity. We advocate the technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide. Engineers and scientists have developed technologies that reduce CO2 by up to 95% and are working to get it down to 100%. The only problem is that the technology is expensive and the government needs to help drive those costs down.

[tappakeggaday1]

there are ways of getting rid of the co2,if stack house emissions are going through an algae bio reactor the algae will eat the co2. this way too you could be using a non renewable to make a renewable resource.once the algae is extracted and dried it could be pelleted and added as a fuel source

[Jeremiy2]

that is true!, but where we going to start the algae farms? the drying lakes and streams? hee hee. We will need a mobil aglae farm to move inland from the ocean as the sea rises I quess is only option

[tappakeggaday1]

I really wished you would have mentioned more of the alternatives to coal.wind is only one player where we also have to consider conservation even if a resource is "plentiful" if its mined it cannot be replaced.we have to use more resources we already have on hand like the methane from city and county dump sites, solar,ind, nuclear,but the biggest thing we all can do is conserve