Comments on: Los Angeles to Stop Using Coal by 2020

By: Mel Espadilla

Mel Espadilla — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:13:41 +0000

A good way to go green and reduce carbon emissions however changes to a different technology and equipments could be very expensive! How about looking for ways to change COAL period! I’m sure by now there are newer burning, better, effective with less emissions and less expensive substitutes for COAL!

By: David

David — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:02:26 +0000

The state of California is going to rebuild 40 percent of its energy infrastructure in 10 years? With its present financial condition that will echo for years? With millions of proposed electric cars coming on line, pushing up the power requirements? Um, no way, no how.

A couple of points to ponder before you cheer too loudly:

Each wind generator with 3kW of generating power requires about 500 pounds of rare earths to manufacture the permanent magnets, and this material is held in virtual monopoly by CHINA. The steel tower alone (200 feet tall, 20 feet diameter, huge steel piles driven to bedrock) requires tons of steel. The only efficient rolling mills are located in CHINA. You will need at least 3000 of these towers. Where will they be built?

Wind and solar systems need to be backed up 100 percent by conventional generating plants because neither of these systems are constant, nor without downtime.

There is zero hydrogen infrastructure. You cannot just pump hydrogen into a car tank and expect it to be as reliable as gasoline. A full tank of hydrogen will evaporate through the tightest membranes within three days.

How are you going to convince the NIMBY types to allow huge unsightly installations in their neighborhoods or off the coast? The Supreme Court has ruled that eminent domaine can proceed in these cases, but you cannot stop people from resenting or hating the administration that destroyed their views, neighborhoods, and natural beauty.

Finally, remember a few years ago when Enron cornered the market on energy and the result was rolling blackouts? Welcome to the future.

By: Hendrik

Hendrik — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:59:15 +0000

It would be even greater to the world if every city does so by the end of 2012. But its a good start though. If Los Angeles can do it, I am sure that many other big cities should be able to do so too. It’s just whether we want to or not.

Thumbs Up To Los Angeles.

By: MS

MS — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:52:35 +0000

Just wondering:

How does making consumers pay higher prices cause economic growth?

Also – how does laying off workers at coal-powered plants create more jobs?
Do the solar and wind jobs hire more people than are layed off?

By: Francisco A Roque

Francisco A Roque — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:40:28 +0000

They need to try to do it in 2 years, they need to try to burn hydrogen in a safe manner, 2 years is more than enough time to do it.

By: Suhas

Suhas — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:56:03 +0000

Good move. But better to assess the effective quantity of coal (and petroleum) required to be burnt for making those many solar cells and wind turbines! I am not kidding. Making only devices for capturing Solar and wind power but not keeping energy consumption is not going to solve the problem. We need to keep the energy consumption at present level, if we can not reduce it. Otherwise, allowing energy consumption to increase and shifting towards renewable energy sources, will only mean, consuming coal and petroleum of future, now.

By: Suhas

Suhas — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:49:02 +0000

Hope the US is not planning to finish all coal of the globe by that time, so that LA can implement their plans, even though coal is available!

By: Jos Conil

Jos Conil — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:47:25 +0000

A good initiative in the right direction indeed!. Hats off to the mayor.

Hope this trend catches on and other states and nations follow this model.

By: Marlip Indo Mandiri

Marlip Indo Mandiri — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:20:06 +0000

Good news… better air of course by 2020, hope’s alternative energy prepared something from now to run that challenge.

By: Loppy Garrard

Loppy Garrard — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:19:22 +0000

Good, if the west is to cut carbon emissions by 80% , like the G8 said today, we have to invest in energy that doesn’t make carbon emissions. Come on Gordon Brown! You cant agree to these cuts and still let Kingsnorth & more airport expansion go ahead.