President Obama has been trying hard to push his environmental policies through. With his plans for new nuclear power almost through, he has now focused on coal. A longtime proponent of “clean coal” he plans to launch an ambitious albeit expensive plan to help the coal power plants to lock carbon dioxide emissions underground.
While the idea is not new, it will help the country reduce its heat trapping gas emissions by 80 % by the year 2050. This is also part of a plan by Obama to use nuclear energy, natural gas, oil and renewable energy work together to provide cleaner energy to the nation. When you look at all the positives that his plan could bring, it all seems very rosy. After all, helping the environment and preserving jobs is a very commendable plan.
However, everyone is not convinced. Many experts are saying that coal should be phased out completely and that renewable energy sources pursued. There are calls for natural gas to be used in more efficient ways as well. They argue that fitting the plants with the new equipment and then operating it would be a very expensive prospect. They also point out that this new technology will require more coal to be consumed to be operational. Another sore point is that the toxic elements and smog will not be eradicated by this process.
So far it appears that the only people convinced of this process’ success are the President and his administration. It also appears that this might turn out to be another fiasco like the healthcare reforms.