Anyone want a coal-fired power plant?

[XemaSab]

My boss asked me to figure out which Western state will be the least difficult to site one in. :D

Not counting California. :D

Good times. :D

[Captain Angry]

1. Wyoming.

If you're careful, you can have the whole thing running before the 6 people who live there notice.

[XemaSab]

2. Word.

The problem is the 6 people who live there are still burning kerosene for light, so there are no existing electric lines. :P

[whistle]

3. You can build them in Florida, no problem, I suppose any state

....dominated by republicans would be far easier to pass coal fired plants.

<snip>
FEATURE - US Coal-Fired Power Plant Plans up in Smoke?
US: March 5, 2007


NEW YORK - The future of coal-fired power plants is seen so tied up by legal challenges from green groups, that it could slow, or even thwart, plans to use America's abundant coal supplies to generate its growing electricity needs.

<.....>

CALL FOR A MORATORIUM ON COAL PLANTS

NASA climate scientist James Hansen recently called for a halt to building all coal-fired power plants until technology allows for the capture of emissions from burning coal.

"There should be a moratorium," Hansen, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, told the National Press Club, "Until we have that clean coal power plant, we should not be building them."

The mining industry acknowledges not all plants currently planned will get built. "We encourage conservation and a diverse mix of energy sources," said Carol Raulston, spokeswoman for the National Mining Association, which represents America's mining companies.

While the industry is working to promote public policies for cleaner air, "we still believe coal will be required for at least half of our electricity needs," Raulston told Reuters.

And with electricity demand growing by about 1 percent per year, analysts believe the country will have to accept more coal-fired plants. Synnott noted that some under construction and due for completion in 2010 to 2012 will add 11,000 megawatts (MW) of capacity. Current U.S. capacity is about 1 million MW.

"There are still opportunities to build new coal-fired plants, which are less expensive than natural gas," he said. "(But) We will need to see carbon control through regulations and a significant incentive to develop carbon capturing technology.

"You will probably still see the potential for long-term demand from new coal-fired plants. It just gets pushed out a bit," said Synnott.
<more>

http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/40670/story.htm


Look why not switch to thorium high temperature gas cools 4th generation nuclear plants?

[IDemo]

4. Idaho Says "No" To Coal-Fired Power Plants

Idaho Rep. Gov. Risch reversed his predecessor's position on allowing new coal plants to be built in Idaho by opting out of a federal mercury emissions trading program. By doing so, the state has shown bi-partisan opposition to coal power plants.

"The federal rule sets a cap for mercury emissions and allows polluters who reduce mercury emissions to trade credits for those reductions to other companies who want to build power plants elsewhere. Idaho is one of three states which do not have coal-fired power plants, so opting into the program would allow a power plant builder to buy credits from elsewhere to emit mercury in Idaho."

"Mercury is a poisonous metal that threatens kidneys, and the nervous, digestive and respiratory systems, especially of young children....Idaho's largest sources of mercury come from outside the state."

"This is a very important step in protecting Idaho's environment and the people that call Idaho home," Risch said. "There are companies that have tried to build coal-fired plants in Idaho and would continue to try if we would have opted in."

"Lawmakers approved a moratorium on coal-fired electric plants last winter in part because of concerns over mercury emissions from the proposed coal plant near Jerome. Magic Valley residents banded together to stop the power plant."

"Obviously clean air and water are a nonpartisan issue," said Democratic Sen. Clint Stennett of Ketchum, one of the earliest opponents to the plant. "What the governor has done today is show out-of-state merchant plants they cannot bring their poison to Idaho."

http://www.planetizen.com/node/20846

[XemaSab]

5. Idaho is not in the running for this plant

so you're in the clear.

Folks in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Utah might have a problem. :P

[IDemo]

8. But bring on that geothermal!

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=47858

We'll also take any unused Stirling solar dishes when you're done fitting out Barstow.

[XemaSab]

9. The Stirling project is a different project

and we've got a deal with both clients that NOBODY, not field staff, not admins, NOBODY, can work on both projects, so sorry, I can't hook you up. :(

I can get you some cool rocks though! :D

[july302001]

6. hmmm...let's site a coal plant...

Why not California? Nuclear is banned there....so the default has been natural gas until now...I guess now it's time for Callie to choose coal or nuclear LOL. Don't ya know, construction of nuclear has been banned in California for years. Coal isn't formally banned in California, although the new greenhouse gas law in CA would make it pretty hard to get a coal plant constructed.

So, there ya have it California....coal emits boatloads of particulates and CO2 but the banned choice, nuclear, doesn't. But...we gotta follow the law, right? And that means there won't be one of those evil non-particulate-emitting nukes anytime soon...

I thought that wind and solar were going to give Callie all the power it needed! Hasn't Callie been doing solar and wind since, like the 1970s? Why do they want to have a coal plant out there?

Realistically...maybe Montana or Wyoming or why not Nevada (just not in the city limits of Las Vegas or Laughlin)? Nevada really doesn't like nuclear...so why can't they build a nice 600-MW coal complex with 50 MW of solar on the side for good publicity?

I'd put my bet on Nevada for that new coal plant...

...or on that Donna Summer song "Dim all the lights..."

[XemaSab]

7. If you put a 50-mile buffer around all the Federal lands in California

you're pretty much screwn.

Also, the point of the exercise is to find the state with the least stringent regulations.

I think I'll go post a poll, just for chuckles.