The case against coal-fired power stations

A short introduction as to why the proposed new generation of coal-fired power stations in the UK would be a disaster for the climate, and the actions Greenpeace has been taking to convince the government to abandon its reckless plans.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• coal
• CO2
• climate
• change
• kingsnorth
• greenpeace

[cbellison]

Coal is a good energy source and will be for hundreds of years.

[GreenpeaceUK]

"Coal is a good energy source" - er, only in the sense that it provides a lot of energy when you burn it. Unfortunately it's the most CO2 intensive of all the fossil fuels, and as such the worst contributor to climate change and therefore a disastrous option for us to take, given the probable consequences.

[breadlegz84]

u jus cant get the same power from any other source other than coal fired power stations. Is it also true that cows and decomposing plants cause nearly as much CO2. now with have FGD, BOFA technology fitted and now burning bio mass and willing to fit SCR technology if they can prove it works. Nearly 900 million has been spent on all this just on 1 powerstation and still you want more. uk is trying its best to help climate change why dont you walk to america/china and start cause them problems.

[GreenpeaceUK]

Coal without carbon capture & storage (CCS) is a disaster for the climate. Commercial CCS doesn't exist, and is unlikely to until 2020 at the earliest, if ever. The new unabated coal plants proposed for Kingsnorth will pump out more CO2 each year than the 30 least polluting NATIONS in the world combined - that's how bad it is.

It's not as if there were no alternatives - gas or biomass powered Combined Heat and Power stations (twice as energy efficient as conventional plants, which waste...

[GreenpeaceUK]

over 60% of the energy they consume; energy efficiency (like the programme being planned by Obama in the US) could cut demand by over 30%, and renewable wave, wind, tidal, solar and geothermal energy.

We have a great opportunity to combat both climate change and the recession by investing in energy efficiency and putting people to work transforming our polluting, wasteful energy sector. We need to embrace it, not return being reliant on the dirtiest fuel known to mankind - coal.

[meshadidit]

So what do we do about China and all of the coal gen plants they are building and putting on line? Even if the rest of the world cuts back, they will surpass our combined polution output within 5 years.

[GreenpeaceUK]

China is already suffering the way Britain did in the 19th century with life in may cities being ruined by thick smogs as a result of coal-burning. The more practical alternatives to coal become available, the more they are likely to be picked up in China, India and other fast growing nations. The more we develop renewable solutions and make them affordable, the more likely it is that China will follow down the same route.

[motherlodeuk]

Where in the world do you get the idea that there is even such a thing as 'eco-terrorism'- presumably from the Daily Mail or whatever other right-wing trash you read. One moment's considered thought ought to be enough to figure out that it doesn't really exist (animal rights protesters apart, and they're hardly environmentalists. These are peaceful protesters who inform the police of the action they have just taken, or are about to take. Use your brain and stop believing the hype, please!

[dsdime]

Thank you for actually doing this important work. Many of us pray for you.

[WKHalford]

@Elephantintheroom01 QUOTE: "Let me be clear, there is absolutely no such thing as a 'cleaner coal', it is all a lie." UNQUOTE

Just looking at how clean pulverized coal-fired power plants are now versus 50 years ago is enough to prove you WRONG.

Then you add coal gasification, and it's even cleaner.

The coal-fired power plant I work at in New Mexico, USA has greatly reduced it's emissions output just within the last few years. The mercury output is so low it can barely be measured.

[WKHalford]

@motherlodeuk Because it's been in the news, and not just from "right-wing trash". It's been reported from such obviously left-biased sources such as NBC.

So just because a news source reports on eco-terrorists you have to label the source "right-wing trash"?

A few years back, eco-terrorists burned several Hummer H1 vehicles at a dealership. They also burned buildings in an apartment complex that was under construction. This happened in the USA, and if I recall, it happened in California.

[WKHalford]

@motherlodeuk QUOTE: " "There are clearner (sic) coal power stations now being built!" - er, no there aren't. You should try understanding the subject before you start spouting off..."

Yes there are. Some already HAVE been built and are producing electricity. One example is the first coal-gasification power plant in the USA. It's Tampa Electric Company's Polk Power Station, 5 miles from my house. It's DEFINITELY cleaner than a pulverized coal plant. And I do know a lot about power production.

[aspieresearchmom]

@Intercity47GBRail yep

[EWS60500]

I think they need to get a life, this country(UK) cant survice on grass as they all seem to think, we need heavy industry, and coal is one of the giants. Yes Climate change is a big problem, but I think it is hyped up to be something bigger than what it is. Coal mining brings jobs, and economic benifites, its suplies rail freight and road hauliers with contracts. As for the bit were they stoped that class 66 hauling coal to drax, I think it is a step to far.

[Intercity47GBRail]

I love the way the camera focuses on the Steam coming out of the cooling towers to make knowledgeable people think it's polluting smoke. Also where do you propose we get our power from in the future? Exactly. Oh and again love the way you Terrorists were to thick to open the bay doors on the Coal trucks makes me laugh every time I see this clip. I mean it's not like it says in big letters turn here! Oh wait it dose doh.

[Intercity47GBRail]

True Drax alone creates more power than this.

[Intercity47GBRail]

WTF do you have evidence of this?

[Dt0x75]

@GreenpeaceUK I tried Solar Power once but since current technology for solar panels is pretty well lets admit it they are shit, and my high latitude. I could barely run a coffee pot, and in order to run my entire house for a year I would have had to buy 4 acres of land, and fill it with solar panels. Not trying to be a dick here im just giving an example of how the new technologies are being suppressed by the current establishment.