Edwards Calls for Halt on Coal Plants in the Backyard of Proposed Coal Plant

[pstans]

John Edwards called for a halt on coal-fired power plants in Marshalltown, where a proposed $1 billion, 600 mw coal-fired power plant is being proposed by Alliant Energy.

Edwards said...

...we need to use coal sequestration technology and not build anymore coal plants until this technology is available.

I assumed Edwards was not informed about the proposed power plant in town when I first heard this comment. However, after the event, I overheard a local reporter ask if Edwards was aware of Alliant's proposed coal-fired power plant. Edwards said he doesn't believe in changing his position based on what town he is speaking in. This makes me think Edwards knew about the plant was once again taking a principled stand on the issue.

Edward's answer came on a question about high gas prices and requiring oil companies to invest excess profits into building new refineries. Edwards used to the question to lay out his plan to curb carbon emmissions and he threw in there the comment about putting a halt on coal plants until the coal sequesteration techonolgy is available.

It will be interesting to see if the media picks up on this comment.

[IndyOp]

1. Thom Hartmann interviewed Edwards yesterday --

Edwards talked about his health care plan and Hartmann said it sounded like he was ready to directly take on the entrenched health-care industry. Edwards said that that was what he had been doing his entire career as a trial lawyer.

Thom likes Edwards -- I like Edwards. We don't have any perfect candidates. I think Edwards will be most progressive and that that is why Obama and Clinton are drawing more funding right now.

:(

[pstans]

2. people should not profit on other people getting sick

That is the what Edwards's health care plan is based on. It begins taking the for profit health care system away and takes the moral stand that everyone should have health care.

[IndyOp]

3. I am with you and Michael Moore & Dennis Kucinich that we should

completely rid the system of all profit - period. I am, however, open to Edwards' plan because he has created it so that everyone who wants Medicare Plus -- non-profit, single-payer can immediately join. People who want to hold onto their private for-profit plans can do so. Why leave the window open even a little? Hillary Clinton's best attempts were DESTROYED because people were freaked out by health insurance plans' claims that they would have no choice. So, give them choice. Some countries with single-payer, non-profit systems allow citizens to purchase private health insurance for services over and above what is necessary for health -- if you want cosmetic surgery or if you want access to the Ritz of all hospitals. I think that if you create an excellent Medicare Plus system, like Canada's, the vast majority of people will sign up for it and those who don't will be the people who can afford to be gouged by insurance companies.

The more support we express for single-payer non-profit the quicker whoever lands in the WH will be able to make that come true for everyone who wants it.

:hi:

[draft_mario_cuomo]

8. Good post. Edwards is the change candidate nt

[calteacherguy]

6. When it comes to being progressive, the Congress holds most of the cards

not the President. A President can certainly lead, but it helps to remind ourselves once awhile only Congress can pass a law or a plan....and Congress always has forces that will change any legislation from what it is when first proposed.

The most important thing is to nominate the Democrat with the best chance of winning the General Election AND work to get more progressives in Congress.

[tired_old_fireman]

4. Edwards makes me proud to be an American.

He truly is a champion of the little people. Just this week he had the courage to stand up to the coal industry and the pharmaceutical industry.

I decided today that I'm done watching the polls and following the juvenile vitriol being slung back and forth between supporters of this candidte or that candidate. Instead, I'm going to watch Edwards lead on every major issue facing the little guy out there today and I will be inspired.

[Inspired]

5. Welcome to the DU!!!

:hi:

Edwards makes me proud to be an American, too. He has real plans on issues that matter the most to Americans. Isn't that what we all want in a president?

I will be seeing him speak on health care tomorrow in Iowa City. I already know it will be amazing.

[IndyOp]

7. Welcome to DU! I will look forward to your positive posts...

:hi:

[pstans]

9. Local Paper Responds to Edwards's Comment on Coal Plants

From the local paper, the Times Republican...

The leading Democratic candidate in Iowa also spoke of the need for carbon emission controls and reducing greenhouse gasses. Right now, he said there is no effective way to control carbon emissions on an industrial scale.

“My view is we should not be building any more coal-fired power plants until that is done,” he said.

That sent murmurings through the crowd, as many realized that Alliant Energy had just a few months ago announced the construction of a $1 billion coal-fired power plant on Marshalltown’s east side. While Edwards may not have heard what the mutterings were about specifically, he did acknowledge he had caught people’s attention.

“I can hear you guys talking,” he said.

I don't remember hearing Edwards say that he hears the audience talking, but then again I was busy liveblogging the event and might have missed it.