"Coal mining is emblematic of our nation's failed energy policy..."

Not that I like the buring of coal or the Bush administration (I really ^%$&^%$ hate Bush) but I got to call this guy out. He makes it sound like this is a problem that can be solved in a few years.

- Coal has been used for centuries as a cheap energy source. They were mining it world over long before this was a country.

- Coal mining has risks but it has provided employment for many. They know the risks, an article I read eariler today said they in 1900 they had a mine explosion that killed 200. A month later the mine was back in operation with full staff. These workers had to know the risks but at the same time it was a good job and I guess worth the risk to them. Jeff Biggers maks it sound like these people were forced to work. Maybe they couldn't find a better job and in a way were forced to take what they could get but no one held a gun to their head.

- Even if the Bush administration had changed energy policy on day one to get off of coal it will take decades to do it. Over 50% of our electricity comes from coal fired plants. If we want our electric cars etc. then the electricity needs to come from somewhere. Conservation will reduce some of the need. Wind and solar are growing. If we're going to get off of coal we're gonna need a bunch of nuke plants I guess. The only other generation methods I can think off involve other fossil fuels. While it may be popular to bash Bush he's not to blame for our coal usage.

I gotta go rinse my mouth out, I think I threw up a little sort of supporting Bush. I guess I had to point out that as much as we love to bash Bush many of this countries problems weren't caused by him and we got to where we're at (infrastructure etc) through many a decade. It'll take decades to change things but the sooner change starts the better. For that we can bash Bush because he's done very little to move us off of fossil fuel.

Strip mining is different than underground mining...

I still prefer it to nuclear. Sorry. We can create technology to make mining safter if we're really interested in doing so. Can't do that with nuclear.

I still prefer it to nuclear. Sorry. We can create technology to make mining safter if we're really interested in doing so. Can't do that with nuclear.

Rob,
Anti nuclear for anti nuclear's sake is why this country is so far behind the curve of what is inevitable. As much as I am a fan and push solar, it will not power the nation.

It's been argued that coal mining since the first nuclear plant went online has killed more people than nuclear power plants in the same time period. Research it and see the truth!

You ignore geothermal energy.Why?I saw a show where they use it in reno.It is a no emissions option.The waste is pure water.No dangerous byproducts.Just steam.

Hey rob, you do realize that a coal fired power plant puts much more radiation into the environment than a nuclear power plant does? All those little natural Thorium and Uranium products in coal are released into the atmosphere when you burn it.

Another thing to note however is that in order to get Uranium you have to mine it...

On a personal note, I think that attacking an industry for being unsafe in the wake of an unfortunate and fairly rare accident is pretty low (

"On a personal note, I think that attacking an industry for being unsafe in the wake of an unfortunate and fairly rare accident is pretty low ("

I'm not attacking the industry or being critical of their safety record. The reality is that mining (and many other necessary jobs) is dangerous. I don't see how it could be made "safe"

In the US the incident rate is fairly low, but coal mining accidents are a very common occurrence world wide. Much of the benefit the US sees comes at the expense of the health and safety of foreign workers. Yes, the US imports coal.

Uranium mining is typically done by open pit mining and are fairly small mines since you don't need a nearly constant stream of railroad cars carrying coal to feed the power plant.

No why not? How do you stop earthquakes and cave in's? Nuclear can be safer and less polluting

Are you volunteering to have a nuclear plant in your back yard? Store the waste?

I do not understand why people say that solar cannot power our nation. according to calculations enough sunlight energy hits the USA in 1 year to power our energy needs over 100 times over. Grant you, the sun is not always shining, but research into more efficient solar energy storage (such as in salts) will allow us to keep energy delivery through sundown periods. By combining solar farms with just solar panels on top of most homes and buildings you do not need to make a dent in usable land to realize the power of solar energy. Panels will become cheaper in the next few years and then Wath Out! It is up to us as people to make it happen on each of ur dwellings in the near future.

By next week this latest coal mining tragedy will be swept off the national screens. In the meantime, Do not erect a wind turbine anywhere near my neighborhood. And never,never even think of erecting within eyesight of our multimillion dollar coastlines properties. Sooner or later, maybe we'll get it. I think there is more hot air than smarts around.

I for one would take a nuclear power plant in my backyard over a coal one any day. In fact, I'd rather have a nuclear power plant in my backyard than a coal plant anywhere. Every month my state has plenty of mercury, radiation, and acid rain falling on it from western coal plants, while our three nuclear generating stations operate safely and cleanly.

Aj

I'd love a nuclear power plant in my back yard. The whole "not in my backyard" thing applies to people unwilling to do what is necessary, or alternatively what is best. I don't count myself among those people.

I'd love a nuclear power plant in my back yard.

Waste, too?

Better get a hold of the feds and let them know about your commitment to nuclear power. Tell your neighbors, too. I'm sure they'll be pleased.

Also, if you're so confident in it, make you you drink well water from under your property after the plant and waste come.

I live and work in Los Alamos, NM so the waste in my backyard point is moot. I'm sure many of my neighbors (rational people) would not mind a nuclear power plant either. Since I live on a mesa drilling down to an aquifer isn't really practical, but I happily drink city water every day!

Chuck your FUD somewhere else, lest it contaminate my drinking water. Ignorant fool.