CAP report: Where's the (coal) money? (They're advertising "clean coal," but not doing much else.)

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1208/16794.html

CAP report: Where's the (coal) money?

By: Erika Lovley
December 22, 2008 12:02 PM EST

A major coal industry group has spent an estimated $45 million on an ongoing advertising campaign promoting the clean energy potential of coal, but its members are spending relatively little on the research that would make the technology a viable solution, a report by the Center for American Progress finds.

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity’s 48 member companies have only invested $3.5 billion in carbon capture research over the past several years, a fraction of the investment scientists say is needed to meet global warming reduction targets, the study by the progressive think tank finds. The study did not include the profits of eight of the companies, but the center estimates the 48 companies' combined profit reached at least $57 billion last year alone.

“This is a perfect chicken and egg policy,” said the center study’s author, Daniel Weiss, who supports federal funding of the research but believes the industry needs to pick up more of the tab.

“The coal companies say they’ve got a solution and don’t want lawmakers to do anything until the solution is ready. But they’re not doing much to make this solution a reality.”

…

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Have you see the TV ad where they tour a 'clean coal' plant? It's just a vast expanse of desert .

http://www.thisisreality.org/#/?p=facility

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. Yes, indeed, I have.

For a time, it seemed to be at saturation levels (at least on the stations I watch.)

I enjoy it. However, at times I wonder, do (the right) people understand it?

Years ago, I worked with my elder brother. At one point, he put a "No Bozos" sign up outside his door.


Among other reactions, he had someone ask, "Uh… does this mean you're not a clown?" Eventually, he concluded, "It's no use, Bozos can't read it."

Similarly, during the early stages of the Iraq war, and the almost accusatory "Support the Troops!" sloganeering, I put a bumper sticker on my car which read, "I Support the Troops More Than You Do!" (To me, it was wonderfully ironic, but eventually, it occurred to me that those to whom it was really directed probably didn't "get it.")