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Permalink Reply by Mattie on August 10, 2009 at 6:35

FYI,

The Oklahoma Corportation Commission (governing body that regulates the O&G industry and utilities) dissallowed the proposed building of a large, new coal plant for electric power use by OG&E - it was disallowed primarily due to the huge lobbying efforts of CHK, Devon, and other E&P companies who are pushing the NG "clean air" initiatives.

It's difficult to believe that the Obama administration will follow this example - too many coal states supporting the "clean coal" agenda. Let's hope that NG gets at least a decent share of the necessary support to grow our new "green economy". What they do with coal is a big determinant in where NG prices go, for sure.

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Permalink Reply by sesport on August 10, 2009 at 10:35

It all ties back to the consumer, Mattie. Consumers don't want their electric bills going up, so industry uses the cheapest power generation for electricity ... and as a fuel, coal is the cheapest, has the most stable pricing, Even IF ng is a better fuel with regard to emissions, IMHO.

If the consumers want less use of coal, more use of ng and development of renewables, but want to keep their utility bills down, it's going to take a conscious effort to conserve, to be energy efficient. To use more (cleaner) ng, it will cost more. We'll have to learn how to offset that increase by learning how to be energy efficient (and then practicing it).

Just the way I see it, but I'm not an expert in this area. :0)

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Permalink Reply by sesport on August 10, 2009 at 17:22

Electro - Don't you think, though, that no matter which way we go, electric bills for the consumers ARE going to increase? If we continue with coal, we pay for the technology to clean up emissions. If we fuel with ng, we're looking at unstable prices that could sky rocket ( in terms of ng prices) again. If we switch to renewables, we pay for the expensive technology. If nuclear is used, we pay for the expensive plants.

IMHO, best to just start learning how to be energy efficient.

thanks for the input again - :0)

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Permalink Reply by Ginger Fife on August 11, 2009 at 9:22

That is so true, but there is a small problem. Look at the generations before us and analyse how they managed their energy needs. They did not waste, worked to live & did not take more out of the earth than what they needed. As societys got more complex and mechanical, science had to figure out a way to take care of the ever evolving needs of society. So, we became dependant on them and therefore became lazy and now have a mind set of convenience. Those who can afford it just don't care & that is a for real problem in our society. On the other hand those who can't afford it are the ones who do reality checks every day. Convenience is a powerful word & a hard one to change.

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