Reader comments
Utah coal-fired plant blocked by EPA panel

So much effort expended for a measly 110 Megwatts of power. Making lawyers millionnaires and giving the green groups something to show some results is what this plant is all about. Both groups should focus on China where big coal-burning plants are being constructed and started up every two weeks. Don't use the global warming arguement on this little plant in Uintah County.

This plant should be a no-brainer. The plan was to take the coal waste that would normally not be burned and burn it to produce power. There is not any residential developments within dozens of miles.

Let's get the thing built.

There are so many other better and non-polluting sources of electricity that we never need to build another toxic coal-burning plant. Now that Bush is going maybe we as a nation can get serious about alternate fuels for electricity.

This is a general comment about energy. As I understand it, when lots of talk occurs in the U.S. about energy and energy alternatives, the oil- producing nations get worried and significantly reduce oil prices so that we will not feel the urgency to go ahead and invent new energy sources or clean up (or exploit) already existing ones.

Well, at least that's the story I've heard. I'm not the kind of person who normally goes for "conspiracy theories" though, so I'll just say, energy is still a huge issue, even though gas prices have now come down substantially. Energy (and where to get it) has HUGE consequences on everything from global warming to international politics.

We need to solve this problem ASAP. This is no time to let down our guard. I hope we can get our best and brightest scientists and engineers to work on this problem, so that some day we will be energy independent. Until then, we will be hostages to foreign oil, with all the consequences.

R. Ward, our "best and brightest scientists and engineers" have been working on this problem for a long time and have already done a great job. Wind, solar PV, concentrated solar and geothermal power are ready to go. We're limited not by technology but by political will. As soon as out political leaders get on board we will be energy independent, and more importantly, energy clean.

Our "best and brightest" are getting tired of the greenie nuts and politicians that allow the nuts to stand in the way of everything, even good projects. It's more like emotional, extreme religious movements than reasonable, rational decision making. And bureaucrats have no backbone.

Those that don't want it should live in tents.

Dutch, please don't bring the LDS into this.

Coal Man: Why not bring them into this? it will get done on time,below budget and a lot cleaner.
The Church never does anything that isn't good for the community as a whole.
I bet the greenies don't walk or ride bicycles to their meetings.
John

If we keep building plants, we will make the planet inhospitable.

This is not oversimplification. Children born today will be very sick indeed as adults unless we change direction. It's not an issue of local politcs or "greenies" vs. "Dutch." We all breathe and rely on a healthy biosphere to survive.

The US has only 100 coal-burning electric plants, but they contribute 40% of our carbon-dioxide emissions. I'm not a "nut." I'm just picking my battles wisely.