Alas, the holidays fade away, the egg nog wears off, and we again have public hearings on the Cliffside coal plant. As you know, last month a US Circuit Court Judge ruled that Duke Energy violated the Clean Air Act by not complying with MACT standards for its new coal-unit, currently under construction.
But that was last month, and the wheels turn and life goes on and construction continues; remember, the ruling did not halt construction on the plant. So what's the reality on the ground? You couldn't do any better than Bruce Henderson's analysis at the Charlotte Observer. The quick rundown: Duke is contending that the new coal-unit will be a "minor source" of toxins like mercury. There will be two public hearings on this "minor source" issue - one in Forest City, one in Statesville.
But that was last month, and the wheels turn and life goes on and construction continues; remember, the ruling did not halt construction on the plant. So what's the reality on the ground? You couldn't do any better than Bruce Henderson's analysis at the Charlotte Observer. The quick rundown: Duke is contending that the new coal-unit will be a "minor source" of toxins like mercury. There will be two public hearings on this "minor source" issue - one in Forest City, one in Statesville.
- 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at Statesville Senior High School, 474 N. Center St. in Statesville.
- An initial hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 15 in Forest City, near the plant, at Chase High School, 1603 Chase High School Road.
For more information, read this article in the Asheville Citizen-Times, which includes instructions on how to mail in your written comments if you are unable to attend.
The following brief outlines the ONLY immediate SOLUTION to the energy crisis and global warming.
ReplyDeleteAmerica Wastes over 70% of the Energy it Consumes. Our hedonist energy waste is pervasive and tragic !
(1) 100's of millions of lights burn unnecessary during the day and night.
(2) We over heat and over cool our homes, businesses, offices,
schools, churches, etc..........
(3) Most Americans do not minimize their driving. Road congestion is horrendous.
(4) America's obsession with road construction is the ultimate contradiction.
The ONLY way to eliminate over demand and energy waste is by using the economic impact of taxing energy. Crude oil needs to be taxed at $200 per barrel(55 gal) and 'offset' by making Federal Income Tax begin at $60k. Only with a substantial and tangible dollar reward/consequence, will Americans care to conserve. Until the price of gas is $7 to $8 per gallon, Americans will not reduce their over consumption and energy waste.
In the mean time, the USA continues its hedonist energy waste and gives away its economic and political wealth to the Islamic Middle East via OPEC. Know that the Islamic dominated OPEC cartel is glad to allow supply and demand market forces to drive energy prices to $8/gallon.
China, India, and other 'developing countries' have just begun to compete for the world's remaining fossil fuel. If global demand for
energy is not dramatically reduced, World war is inevitable (geopolitical unrest is directly related to global competition for
energy and natural resources).
Ford and General Motors are headed for bankruptcy, which will leave
100,000,000 Americans unemployed, ruin our economy, and lead to
anarchy. America can no longer continue to 'do business as usual'.
Ford and GM must quickly transition to the lucrative business of
building solar and wind 'energy producers' for the world's 6.7 BILLION people reason$. The world cannot continue to support all the
automakers. We are running out of petroleum !
Mass transit must become FREE, SAFE, CLEAN, and CONVENIENT,
thereby rewarding those who reduce their driving.
Global warming continues to increase with our persistent waste and overuse of fossil fuels.
The incentives necessary to create sustainable and renewable energy supplies can ONLY occur when we implement the economics of TAXING ENERGY.
Lowell Michalove,phd lmmicha@gmail.com