beyondoil.nrdc.org/news/gas-from-coal.php
Natural Resources Defense Council:
www.nrdc.org
With Congress knee-deep in energy and farm bill negotiations, the coal industry is looking to get in on the action, pushing for
huge subsidies to turn millions of tons of coal into transportation fuels. It’s a dirty, expensive proposition that could worsen
global warming and pollute our air, land and water.
If the concept of ‘liquid coal’ seems a bit fuzzy to you, you’re not alone. That’s why award-winning political cartoonist Mark Fiore invited Chester Carbonair to give us a primer of all the fun things that await in a world of liquid coal.
We hope you and your friends enjoy our lighthearted cartoon, but, the fact is, the coal industry means serious business and is sparing no expense to advance its agenda in the halls of Congress. So after you watch the cartoon, be sure to follow the links on our website to send a message urging Congress to say No to liquid coal. And while you're at it, click on ‘Tell Your Friends’ to quickly and easily send this message.
“Reality” Coalition Launches Campaign
Debunking “Clean Coal” Myth
Debunking “Clean Coal” Myth
Calls on Coal Industry to Live up to the Promise of So-Called “Clean Coal”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 4, 2008
CONTACT: Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384
Menlo Park, California: Today, the Alliance for Climate Protection, League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Sierra Club launched the "Reality" Coalition, a national grassroots and advertising effort to tell a simple truth: in reality, there is no such thing as “clean coal.”
Environmental experts agree that coal is the dirtiest fuel America uses to produce electricity. The “Reality” Coalition, then, is challenging the coal industry to come clean in its advertising and in its operations. Coal cannot be considered clean until its carbon dioxide emissions are captured and stored.
“The reality is that there’s not a single home or business in America today powered by clean coal,” said Brian Hardwick of the Alliance for Climate Protection. “If coal really wants to be part of America’s energy future, the industry can start by making a real commitment to eliminating their pollution that is a leading cause of global warming.”
Hardwick continued: “It is high time for the coal industry to come clean and admit to the American people that today clean coal is not a reality. No matter how much they say it in their advertising, coal can’t truly be clean until the plants can capture the global warming pollution. With so much at stake, we can’t afford to hang our hats on an illusion.”
Beginning today, the “Reality” Coalition will launch a multi-million dollar ad campaign, running in print, broadcast and online media and supported by the website, www.thisisreality.org. The ads were designed and produced by Boulder, Colorado-based Crispin Porter + Bogusky, the agency responsible for the ground-breaking “Truth” anti-tobacco campaign.
The first “Reality” print ad shows a solitary door labeled “Clean Coal Facility Entrance.” Behind the door, though, lies a barren field. “In reality, there’s no such thing as clean coal,” the ad states.
The ad continues: “Coal is one of the leading causes of global warming. But that hasn’t stopped the coal industry from advertising clean coal. Yet, the truth is there isn’t a single commercial coal plant in America today that captures its global warming pollution. Learn more about what the coal industry is not telling you …”
Reality’s first TV ad follows the same premise and can be viewed at www.thisisreality.org.
“The coal industry has spent hundreds of millions promoting ‘clean coal’ technology, but in reality, there is not a single large-scale demonstration project in the United States for capturing and safely burying all of coal’s CO2 emissions,” Vice President Gore said. “The industry must make good its promise if they truly want to do their part to solve the climate crisis. Until that happens, coal cannot be called ‘clean’.”
The “Reality” Coalition today echoes the call made by former Vice President and Alliance for Climate Protection Chairman Al Gore in a recent New York Times op-ed that until coal is truly clean, there should be no new coal-fired power plants built in America.
“The coal industry is running a cynical and dishonest campaign to mislead the American people, while they stand in the way of real solutions,” said Gene Karpinski, President of the League of Conservation Voters. “The ‘Reality’ Coalition is aimed at holding them accountable for their outlandish claims.”
Added Natural Resources Defense Council President Frances Beinecke: “Big coal is spending millions to make us think that coal use today is “clean.’ But all their dirty money can’t hide the truth -- coal as it’s used today is the dirtiest climate-killing fuel on earth.”
“Everyone has a role to play in creating our clean energy future,” said Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope. “It’s time for the coal industry to stop fighting against efforts to bring about a green economy and instead start living up to its clean coal rhetoric.”
“We need to clean up coal, not spend billions on a scheme to market coal as clean,” said Larry Schweiger, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “It’s time to build a better energy future with existing clean sources like wind and solar that will create jobs, boost our economy and confront the climate crisis head-on.”
About the “Reality” Coalition:
The “Reality” Campaign is sponsored by the Reality Coalition, a joint project of the Alliance for Climate Protection, League of Conservation Voters, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Wildlife Federation and Sierra Club. The Reality Campaign tells the truth about coal today -- it isn’t clean. We are challenging the coal industry to come clean -- in its advertising and in its operations.
Mines Mineral Director Speak to Congress on Geologic Sequestration of
Carbon Dioxide on Public Lands
EPA to Develop Regulations for Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide
On October 11, EPA announced plans to develop regulations to establish a clear path for geologic sequestration, a process of injecting captured carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, in deep rock formations for long-term storage. Once completed, the regulations will ensure there is a consistent and effective permit system under the Safe Drinking Water Act for commercial-scale geologic sequestration programs to help reduce the effects of climate change.
“Addressing global climate change will require fundamental changes in the way the world generates and uses energy,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “By harnessing the power of geologic sequestration technology, we are entering a new age of clean energy where we can be both good stewards of the Earth, and good stewards of the American economy.”
EPA is working with the Department of Energy as it carries out its carbon sequestration research and development program and is also coordinating efforts to evaluate potential impacts on health, safety and the environment. The Safe Drinking Water Act established the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program to allow the safe injection of fluids into the subsurface in a manner that does not endanger current or future underground sources of drinking water.
EPA plans to propose regulatory changes to the UIC program in the summer of 2008 and will invite the public and stakeholders to provide
input throughout the rule development process. More information about geologic sequestration activities under the UIC program:
www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/wells_sequestration.html
Click here to read the Geological Research Statement of Dr. Robert C. Burrus
Click here to read the testimony of Benjamin H. Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for Water - EPA