Reply #5: right here!

[AlecBGreen]

"Basically there is NOT ONE coal apologist who give's a rat's ass about the damage that coal pits will do for the next billion years. Not ONE."

:hi: be careful about making those sweeping generalizations.

In the near future we will face an energy crisis caused by our dependence on fossil fuels, primarily oil. Assuming all hell doesnt break loose and we still have a functional society, we will need to search for other means of generating electricity. Coal WILL be used today, tomorrow, and into the foreseeable future. While current methods are dirty and environmentally destructive, there ARE ways to use it safely and with a minimal impact. As long as our current goons in the administration allow "Big Coal" to rape and pillage at will, these developments will never be realized. If we get a sane government with far-reaching yet pragmatic goals, we may have hope. In an ideal world, all our energy would come from non-polluting, renewable resources. Let me say that again. In an IDEAL world... Until we have 1) nuclear fusion or 2) widespread, ultra-efficient "insert-favorite-renewable-here" then we will need to rely on dirty, imperfect sources like coal and nuclear. (imperfect!? *gasp* did I really just lump coal in with nuclear...? :eyes:)

Bottom line - no one wants coal OR nuclear if there is another way. Unfortunately that 3rd way hasnt yet arrived so until then we need to continue to use traditional sources like coal and nuclear.

-Alec

p.s Please spare us the emotional rhetoric NNadir. Do you honestly think everyone who is at least minimally pro-coal isnt concerned aout the environment? Secondly, explain how coal mine damage will last for BILLIONS of years.