Obama Tells SF Chronicle He Will Bankrupt Coal Industry

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Obama Tells SF Chronicle He Will Bankrupt Coal Industry

Let me sort of describe my overall policy.

What I've said is that we would put a cap and trade system in place that is as aggressive, if not more aggressive, than anybody else's out there.

I was the first to call for a 100% auction on the cap and trade system, which means that every unit of carbon or greenhouse gases emitted would be charged to the polluter. That will create a market in which whatever technologies are out there that are being presented, whatever power plants that are being built, that they would have to meet the rigors of that market and the ratcheted down caps that are being placed, imposed every year.

So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it's just that it will bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted.

That will also generate billions of dollars that we can invest in solar, wind, biodiesel and other alternative energy approaches.

The only thing I've said with respect to coal, I haven't been some coal booster. What I have said is that for us to take coal off the table as a (sic) ideological matter as opposed to saying if technology allows us to use coal in a clean way, we should pursue it.

So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can.

It's just that it will bankrupt them.

[creatureofthenyte]

How many stories like this one,

is it gonna take to get Americans to realize how our country will go straight to hell if Obama wins ???

[Oh_My_Goth]

Oooo, evil Obama wants to clean the air.....

If they do it right the workers can learn something new and work in another industry like solar panel factories.....

Yes, I know I am being a bit unrealistic.....That would be in a perfect more world.....

But hey we could also put a cap on over reproducing as a species and then we won't have to worry about having too many people to provide power to, and too many people to provide jobs for.....

No?????

Oops, did I derail again?????

[Simon Bar Sinister]

How many stories like this one,

is it gonna take to get Americans to realize how our country will go straight to hell if Obama wins ???

where do you think we are now?

[Oh_My_Goth]

where do you think we are now?

Exactly.....Why are people so afraid of change?????

We NEED some kind of radical change.....We are all going to have to suffer in some way.....{As if we are not already suffering}

[Azeuron]

I can't really stand either candidate but Obama isn't really helping his cause...

[creatureofthenyte]

Exactly.....Why are people so afraid of change?????

We NEED some kind of radical change.....We are all going to have to suffer in some way.....{As if we are not already suffering}

I'm not afraid of political change.

I am afraid of the Kind of political change that Obama wants to bring.

Anyone who can count radicals, racists, and former terrorists as part of their circle of friends is not someone that should be president of this country ! (or any country for that matter)

I mean come on, he wants us to go for alternative forms of energy, but is gonna bankrupt people that try them??? Wtf is that???

[Oh_My_Goth]

I'm not afraid of political change.

I am afraid of the Kind of political change that Obama wants to bring.

Anyone who can count radicals, racists, and former terrorists as part of their circle of friends is not someone that should be president of this country ! (or any country for that matter)

I mean come on, he wants us to go for alternative forms of energy, but is gonna bankrupt people that try them??? Wtf is that???

Well I do hope it is a slow transition, but it HAS to be done.....

[Azeuron]

just a situation where he shouldn't be doing impromptu speaking engagements... that or he needs better writers...

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

It's not just a power thing or carbon emmisions thing... Coal mines employ around 100,000 people... thats not counting truck drivers and office workers. Thats just guys directly mining the coal. There are the thousands of people in support industrys... gas stations, party stores, grocery stores that get the majority of their income from the miners...

He wants to Carbon tax coal power plants based on how much coal they burn.. not how much carbon actually leaves them into the atmosphere... How the fuck does that make sense? When modern coal burning furnaces put out almost no carbon into the atmosphere?

All based on faulty science that is loosing footing more every day as scientific reports and scientific studys come out that debunks global warming.

So, the man who claims he wants the best for the little guy and the middle class is going to tax a major segment of the economy out of existance... and put millions of people out of work.

[Guest greyhalo]

It's not just a power thing or carbon emmisions thing... Coal mines employ around 100,000 people... thats not counting truck drivers and office workers. Thats just guys directly mining the coal. There are the thousands of people in support industrys... gas stations, party stores, grocery stores that get the majority of their income from the miners...

He wants to Carbon tax coal power plants based on how much coal they burn.. not how much carbon actually leaves them into the atmosphere... How the fuck does that make sense? When modern coal burning furnaces put out almost no carbon into the atmosphere?

All based on faulty science that is loosing footing more every day as scientific reports and scientific studys come out that debunks global warming.

So, the man who claims he wants the best for the little guy and the middle class is going to tax a major segment of the economy out of existance... and put millions of people out of work.

You know, I've been purposely staying out of the politics forum because I end up getting frustrated. But, again, you make some very good points, Gaf. I am more frustrated than ever with this particular election. I can see Obama making a lot of dire mistakes rather than positive changes.

[creatureofthenyte]

You know, I've been purposely staying out of the politics forum because I end up getting frustrated. But, again, you make some very good points, Gaf. I am more frustrated than ever with this particular election. I can see Obama making a lot of dire mistakes rather than positive changes.

Obama has no experience....

[Guest greyhalo]

Obama has no experience....

Indeed.

[Reaper]

Ah but then, look what experience HAS gotten us into.

[SaGa]

Oooo, evil Obama wants to clean the air.....

If they do it right the workers can learn something new and work in another industry like solar panel factories.....

Yes, I know I am being a bit unrealistic.....That would be in a perfect more world.....

But hey we could also put a cap on over reproducing as a species and then we won't have to worry about having too many people to provide power to, and too many people to provide jobs for.....

No?????

Oops, did I derail again?????

its to late now. we cant damn the population for being born without being downright evil about it

[creatureofthenyte]

So Obama says he will bankrupt the coal industry.....

Hmmmn...

Aren't there some states that rely on coal as their major supplier of JOBS???

Oh yeah, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, OHIO!! just to name a few.

So if the coal industry goes bankrupt, that means the loss of ALOT of JOBS!!!

Can our economy survive that kind of job loss ???

Is THIS the change we need ???

[Rev.Reverence]

So Obama says he will bankrupt the coal industry.....

Hmmmn...

Aren't there some states that rely on coal as their major supplier of JOBS???

Oh yeah, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, OHIO!! just to name a few.

So if the coal industry goes bankrupt, that means the loss of ALOT of JOBS!!!

Can our economy survive that kind of job loss ???

Is THIS the change we need ???

Then they better SEE what he is doing...& act accordingly...

...but you know...mathematically speaking...100,000 peoples is a small amount...out of 305,566,601...

...& it is not like he'll get elected & this will go into effect 'cause he sais so...there are all sorts of red tape to go through...

[creatureofthenyte]

Then they better SEE what he is doing...& act accordingly...

...but you know...mathematically speaking...100,000 peoples is a small amount...out of 305,566,601...

...& it is not like he'll get elected & this will go into effect 'cause he sais so...there are all sorts of red tape to go through...

Well If Obama wins, and If the Democrats take majority control in congress, then anything they see fit will probably pass into law with lightning speed. And I really don't see how 100,000 people could be considered a small amount of people. Also! 50% of all Electricity in this country is generated by burning coal. So if the coal industry is bankrupted, there will be massive loss of jobs and our electric bills will skyrocket.

[Enishi]

Maybe we need to have Obama fuck things up? That way people will fully realize that neither party is the answer and we can get started on finding REAL answers.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

Then they better SEE what he is doing...& act accordingly...

...but you know...mathematically speaking...100,000 peoples is a small amount...out of 305,566,601...

...& it is not like he'll get elected & this will go into effect 'cause he sais so...there are all sorts of red tape to go through...

but it's not just 100,000 people. It's all the people that rely on those people's jobs for thier jobs to exist. if htose 100,000 loose thier jobs... thats gas station business, grovery stores, mechanics, the secratarys and foremans... it gets closer to 2-300,000.

Think of it this way.. the recently closed a factory in Traverse City.. it employed around 100 workers. After you also count all the office workers and local support systems that lost thier jobs it was a net loss of almost 500 jobs.

[Rev.Reverence]

but it's not just 100,000 people. It's all the people that rely on those people's jobs for thier jobs to exist. if htose 100,000 loose thier jobs... thats gas station business, grovery stores, mechanics, the secratarys and foremans... it gets closer to 2-300,000.

Think of it this way.. the recently closed a factory in Traverse City.. it employed around 100 workers. After you also count all the office workers and local support systems that lost thier jobs it was a net loss of almost 500 jobs.

..Your right...they will have to find other jobs.

They should know that this would be comming...we will exaust the coal supply eventually won't we?

It is just coming sooner.

..& Global Warming this side or that..I don't care (the evidence is inconclusive on either side)...there are a ton of OTHER reasons to stop pollution...number one on my list is, "Try to leave a place as you found it.", an adage I know you & all the other woodsmen know. & know well..

I am not happy for the loss of jobs..but if THEY are scared...they better start lookin' NOW...time for another old saying, ehe? "BE PREPARED"...

They now KNOW...& "Knowing is half the battle..."

At least it won't be a surprise.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

..Your right...they will have to find other jobs.

They should know that this would be comming...we will exaust the coal supply eventually won't we?

It is just coming sooner.

..& Global Warming this side or that..I don't care (the evidence is inconclusive on either side)...there are a ton of OTHER reasons to stop pollution...number one on my list is, "Try to leave a place as you found it.", an adage I know you & all the other woodsmen know. & know well..

I am not happy for the loss of jobs..but if THEY are scared...they better start lookin' NOW...time for another old saying, ehe? "BE PREPARED"...

They now KNOW...& "Knowing is half the battle..."

At least it won't be a surprise.

Eventually, yes, the coal supply will be exhausted... but also keep in mind... there is more coal in the world that you can imagine... Oil should run out within 30-50 years.. Coal, even at higher use rates... should last another 150+

I'm sorry... there are no other jobs for people to do in some states... their whole economy is based around coal production. Montana and Wyoming would be fucked.

[Rev.Reverence]

Eventually, yes, the coal supply will be exhausted... but also keep in mind... there is more coal in the world that you can imagine... Oil should run out within 30-50 years.. Coal, even at higher use rates... should last another 150+

I'm sorry... there are no other jobs for people to do in some states... their whole economy is based around coal production. Montana and Wyoming would be fucked.

...Solar & Wind power...

..they should GET ON IT NOW...(in a MASSIVE way)..

...AS SHOULD MICHIGAN..

[freydis]

..Your right...they will have to find other jobs.

They should know that this would be comming...we will exaust the coal supply eventually won't we?

It is just coming sooner.

..& Global Warming this side or that..I don't care (the evidence is inconclusive on either side)...there are a ton of OTHER reasons to stop pollution...number one on my list is, "Try to leave a place as you found it.", an adage I know you & all the other woodsmen know. & know well..

I am not happy for the loss of jobs..but if THEY are scared...they better start lookin' NOW...time for another old saying, ehe? "BE PREPARED"...

They now KNOW...& "Knowing is half the battle..."

At least it won't be a surprise.

....your answer to someone possibly losing their job due to poor policymaking is "they should have seen it coming?"

WTH?

In this economy, there *are* no other jobs.

This isnt the answer.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

...Solar & Wind power...

..they should GET ON IT NOW...(in a MASSIVE way)..

...AS SHOULD MICHIGAN..

Solar power is not viable with current technology as anything more than a supplement. Wind power would be grand if you could get the environmentalists and people like Ted Kennedy to stop suing everyone that tries to build enough windmills to produce power.