Reply #9: The "clean coal" technology to trap CO2 isn't here yet.

[Eugene]

The point of Toles cartoon is there is no proven way
to trap and bury CO2 emissions yet. That is true.

Proponents are asking for research funding to work out
a methods to trap and bury CO2. When they figure it out,
coal burning plants may adopt it if the economics work.
Otherwise one current backup plan is buy carbon offsets.

Even if "clean coal" can be made work, it is a solution
for the next 10-20 years with the first pilot plants
proposed for around 2010-2012. "Clean coal" will be nice
if and when it works, but until it does, coal is still the
dirtiest fuel around.

If we are going to cut greenhouse gas emissions, we have
to look at all the alternatives, conservation, renewables,
nuclear, etc. And we can use less electricity if we try.