Finally, an EPA regulation that will cost business nothing
No, don’t rub your eyes making sure you read that correctly. It’s true. As you know, every time, in this instance, the EPA, passes a new regulation it must provide a cost/benefit analysis. First, the proposed new rule.
The EPA proposed what are known as ‘new source performance standards’ for carbon under the Clean Air Act, which are part of the agency’s ‘endangerment finding’ to limit greenhouse gas emissions. To control CO2, utilities will need to install new technology, such as capture-and-sequestration systems that are among the world’s most complex and expensive industrial equipment.
So, how can something both complex and expensive cost nothing?
Simple…the EPA has basically stopped the permitting of any new coal powered plants in this country, and, thus this new rule will cost nothing as no company will be permitted to open a coal fired plant.
Except,
[w]henever a plant upgrades-whether installing a new fan blade or replacing a toilet seat-it must comply with every rule on the books. So, as a utility obeys the mercury rule, say, it will also be caught in the pincer movement of these new carbon standards.
Forgetting for the moment that,
[t]he problem with carbon capture and storage-apart from costs- is that the technology is still speculative…
what will happen in the real world?
Almost half of our electric power currently comes from coal fired power plants. When they shut down one by one, due to this new rule, where will our brand new, perhaps soon to be government mandated, Chevy Volts get their power?
Oh, I forgot, algae.
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Atlas Shrugged!!
Regulatosclerosis by design.
How long will it be before they regulate our chimneys?
its already happening..ban on outdoor boilers///catilitic converters on wood stoves..only certain furnaces allowed to be sold in my state[mass]
Don’t worry,? Obama has hired the folks from Solyndra to develop the capture and sequestration system.
Yet another useless and destructive regulation that will act as a coupe de grace to coal-fired electric producers.? “Speculative technology”? Kinda like that non-corn based ethanol.
Obama’s relentless elimination of American businesses continues.
I certainly hope that he can be a lame duck as of November 7th.? He talks a big line about concern for gas prices, demonizing investors and oil companies but what he’s doing with his stifling regulatory orgy will drive the price of electricity through the roof.? his actions belie his words that are calculated to make people assume he gives the slightest damn what we’re dealing with.
Why will the current coal fired plants shut down one-by-one under the current rule which does not apply to current operating plants? Will the utilities simply stop generating power and give up the revenue?
The NSA is building a huge data center to monitor an unbelievable amount of internet traffic in Utah. (No one seems to be complaining about it though, because a Democrat is now in charge. But, that’s a different topic.)
Why do you think they chose Utah??
Is it because so much of the country’s data traffic runs through Utah? Uh, not quite.
To answer that, you have to ask what is the main ongoing cost of a data center.
That answer is electricity.
Utah is among the states with the lowest cost of electricity in the world at only 4.93 cents/kWh for industrial users.
Why is the cost so low?
It’s because Utah generates 81% of its electricity from coal!
Reference: http://geology.utah.gov/emp/energydata/electricitydata.htm
Thank goodness we have a president who is committed to generating electricity from electricity. These dinosaur coal fired plants can be closed and new, clean energy plants that run on electricity generated by other electric plants will take their place. It’s time you troglodytes enter the 21st Century, which will be the century of electrically generated electricity.
Any president that can manufacture legislation out of whole cloth (executive orders), appoint flunkies during Congressional recesses that aren’t recesses, claim credit for things he had nothing to do with (and would have stood in the way of if he had the chance) and make up legal precedent on the fly should have no trouble making electricity from electricity!? 😉
Don’t worry federal loans are being issued to Paul Scheerbart foundation to utilize his works on perpetual motion in conjunction with a Maurits Escher waterfall for? clean cheap hydro power.? 😎
Worth noting that even after the Japanese issues, China is building 25 new nuclear power stations. India, France, etc. are big proponents. Yes, there are issues, but as a rule they cost a lot to build and peanuts to run. The kicker is the risk/reward ratio vis. danger/liability/lack of CO2 emissions.
They don’t want coal.
They don’t want nuclear.
Hydro might endanger a snail darter or something.
Question: Where does the electricity come from to recharge a Volt??
Electricity comes from those holes in the wall. Duh!
Just like meat comes from the supermarket all wrapped up in plastic.
The sun and wind give us all we need, you big sillies.