The Democrats' Clean Energy Choice

Kevin Grandia over at Coal-is-Dirty.com wrote yesterday about how the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity is spending upwards of $2 million over the next couple weeks in an effort to convince Democrat and Republican conventioneers that, somehow, coal can be made clean. The industry is doing its best, buying "clean coal" billboards at the airport, hiring temp workers to pass out "clean coal" t-shirts, etc.

I'd like to think that Democrats won't fall for it. We can take comfort in the fact that Obama's energy plan dramatically outshines McCain's. And of course McCain and other Republicans have led the opposition to the solar investment tax credit and other policies.

But we cannot simply assume that Democrats will always show strong leadership on climate and energy issues (see: offshore oil drilling). As clean energy advocates, we can't let ourselves be taken for granted. After all, the top three recipients of coal industry cash in the U.S. House this election cycle are all Democrats. We clearly have work to do.

There are two paths the Democrats might take. The first, and most politically expedient option is for policymakers to strike deals in which the coal industry continues to grow and greenhouse gas emissions increase, but concessions are made for the occasional wind turbine, solar farm, or carbon "offset" program. Under this scenario, climate change will intensify, and mountaintop removal coal mining will persist. The problems will get a little worse, but they'll deteriorate at a slower pace. Hooray!

Here's a case in point.

In Texas, utility giant NRG struck a deal earlier this month that will allow the construction of a new 800-megawatt coal-fired power plant. The deal requires that NRG "offset or sequester 50% of the carbon generated by the new unit." The company also committed to support a utility-scale solar farm in Texas. And though the plant will require a massive increase in water usage, it will use less water than a plant using outdated technology. So it won't be quite as bad.

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Let's start with the positives. It's not a revolutionary act, but it's still commendable that NRG would support a solar farm in Texas. Reducing the plant's increase in water usage is also a good thing. Addressing climate change is positive, too.

What's not to like? The problem is that the deal doesn't actually guarantee any emission reductions. Scientists say that we must reduce emissions by 80 percent to preserve life as we know it, yet this new plant will add several million tons of carbon dioxide into the air each year. Even NRG's commitment to "offset" half of those new emissions is suspect: NRG will escape its obligation if the federal government enacts a climate change program before the plant comes on line in 2013 - regardless of the standards the government adopts.

The other option, rather than chase the promise of so-called "clean coal," is for Democrats to say no to new coal plants and jumpstart the transition to a clean energy economy. The future will be powered by sustainable energy sources, so why continue to invest in a fossil fuel-based economy that has a limited future?

A different vision for meeting our energy needs and reducing coal consumption can be found in West Virginia, home to the communities most directly and severely impacted by mountaintop removal coal mining. Residents living near Coal River Mountain, a site slated for a mountaintop removal project, have launched a campaign to save their mountain and instead build a wind farm that would provide enough energy for 150,000 homes.

The wind farm would not only spare their community from the toxic and devastating effects of mountaintop removal coal mining, it would also provide a long-term economic boost to an area that has benefited little from a coal-dependent economy.

It's notable that these citizens came to the same conclusion as Texas oil billionaire (and ultimate economic pragmatist) T. Boone Pickens: America's economy and energy future depend on immediate, massive investments in clean energy - like wind and solar - rather than chasing every last bit of coal we can find.

Whether Democrats and Republicans make smart energy choices this election season depends not on t-shirts or billboards, but on a vigilant media and grassroots activists who won't give up. The coal industry can keep trying to buy political support, but Americans want clean air, clean water, and a stable climate. Let's make sure that all candidates remember that this election season.