Clean Coal? - Take Action!

On Monday I reported that Dynegy is building six new coal-fired power plants. They claim that these power plants use "clean coal technology". What the heck is that?

Dynegy plans to complete the Sandy Creek Power Plant in Riesel, Texas (east of Waco) in 2012. Just when you think that the country will be making moves towards more environmentally sound energy sources, more coal-fired plants are being built. The NYTimes reported (April 23) that coal-fired plants are also going up in Europe. In the next five years, "European countries are expected to put into operation about 50 coal-fired plants" and Italy will increase its reliance on coal from 14 to 33 percent. Why is this happening?

Here's my summary:

• There is plenty of coal. It is projected to last for the next 200 years. (of course, we have to blow up mountains to get to it, but that's okay because I don't live near a mountain.)
• Coal is relatively cheap. (Low grade coal, which gives off less energy per ton, is even cheaper.)
• Companies have done some fancy greenwashing, claiming they use "clean coal technology". What's that? Basically it means that less soot and gases (nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide) are emitted into the air. That's good, but it does NOT EFFECT EMISSION OF CARBON DIOXIDE.
• Companies say that in the future they will use carbon capture technology to store the carbon emissions underground. That's nice, but this technology does not exist yet, and when (if?) it does, it will be very expensive to implement. In addition, stored carbon can be dangerous if there is a leak.

We are already in trouble with the current level of emissions, and adding coal-fired plants just makes it worse. Power companies need to invest in cleaner power sources. People everywhere need to work towards more efficient use of power.

If Dynegy goes through with all 6 plants, it will become U.S. Coal-Fired Polluter #1! The increased emissions from this ONE company will make our personal efforts irrelevant. Should we despair? NO! Should we stop taking personal action? Of COURSE not! But the more I read about this, the more I realize that we must make our voices heard.

What can we do?

1. Write to Dynegy and tell them what you think:

Corporate Headquarters

1000 Louisiana Street
Suite 5800
Houston, Texas 77002
713.507.6400

2. If you live in the Houston area, join the protest during the shareholder's meeting:
May 14, Protest outside Dynegy shareholders’ meeting, Wednesday, 9am to 1pm, in Houston, at the Galleria at on 5100 West Alabama, between Post Oak and Sage Road.

3. Join the Sierra Club's National Campaign against Coal-Fired Power Plants:
http://www.sierraclub.org/coal/takeaction/