Coal Set for a Strong Comeback in Europe
Tim Kingston just sent me this, an article on coal-fired power plants from an apparently credible author that compares coal with other forms of energy, while going out of its way to avoid mentioning the health and ecological consequences. Regarding coal’s apparent comback in Europe, he concludes:
Who is cheering? EU utility ratepayers who have been taxed and gouged by politically correct but still artificially high utility rates to pay for the green aspirations of their politicians. Call it common sense, call it the revenge of markets, call it economic reality—the Europeans just might be onto something.
Is this guy for real? I guess I respond:
Who is crying? The seven billion people and the (dwindling number) of plants and animal species that live on Earth — a planet that’s becoming less capable of supporting life with each passing day. Call it a tragedy, since that’s what it is.
Hmmm… lies, damn lies and statistics. The article referenced is sufficiently vague as to not necessarily paint an accurate picture. Six times as many coal as gas plants? Ok, what has been that ratio over the last twenty years? Different? Maybe the same?
Coal vs. nukes? German government might consider that a reasonable trade-off. Hard to know without a more detailed contextual description of the original statistic being cited.
No one should be cheering, but what is happening should not be a surprise either. A similar thing is happening in Japan and will happen in most places where nuclear power is eschewed. As the years go by, that will become more and more clear.
The risks associated with nuclear power are minor compared with the risks associated with global warming. And, global warming has a positive feedback loop that has been given little consideration. More energy will be required to cope with global warming. Hotter weather will increase the demand for air conditioning. In fact, there are places where living with air conditioning is not a problem now, but will become just about impossible with global warming. Rainfall patterns will change resulting in serious water shortages in some places. That will increase the demand for sea water desalination, and that requires considerable energy.
This is a good example of what can happen when green initiatives move faster than the technology can be put into place that will support the perceived energy needs of the ordinary folks.
Germany rejected nuclear power and blocked shipment of nuclear waste from France. They perhaps were a bit self righteous.
Now that they realize that current windturbines and solar systems will not provide base load power they are opting for WHAT???? They are totally nuts if they defend coal as a better option than nuclear. Their only defense for getting rid of their nuclear plants is if they swear, sealed with blood that they will reduce their demand for power during the day. How do you think that would work?
Economic depression would be just around the corner if it isn’t already!
L
one of the reasons for coal’s comeback in Europe is the abnormally low natural gas prices in the US. While coal plants are being idled or shut down in favor of gas here, coal prices have fallen, allowing European plants to import US coal, which in turn leads to higher EU coal use.