[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Driller1

And that gives you plenty of time to smile. That is the problem. It takes up a lot of land for a small return. Yes, we need to keep looking. Did you know those windmills take oil to build and maintain? Lots of it. Sure they produce some energy, just not enough. I ask someone from the DEQ once about putting windmills in the bay. Lots of room, lots of wind. I was told the environmental study on the bay would make them cost more than five new coal plants and take ten years.

Wind energy is cheaper than coal because the externalized costs of burning coal are not factored into the actual costs. The health and environmental costs of burning coal are the worst of any potential energy source we have. Clean coal is a fallacy and diversifying our energy portfolio makes the best long-term economic sense.

[wanderer74]

I do live in the Tri-City area and as much as this area desperately needs jobs, I am not in favor of the proposed coal plant. I think that this are could still create jobs and address energy issues, just not coal...I see coal as a step backwards and presenting too much of an environmental and health risk. Plus those of us in this area already face such increased health risks due to the proximity of Dow Chemical (e.g. higher cancer rates and such). But we could definitely position ourselves in this area as a leader in developing alternative energies such as solar, electric car manufacturing, etc.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by wanderer74

I do live in the Tri-City area and as much as this area desperately needs jobs, I am not in favor of the proposed coal plant. I think that this are could still create jobs and address energy issues, just not coal...I see coal as a step backwards and presenting too much of an environmental and health risk. Plus those of us in this area already face such increased health risks due to the proximity of Dow Chemical (e.g. higher cancer rates and such). But we could definitely position ourselves in this area as a leader in developing alternative energies such as solar, electric car manufacturing, etc.

OK!!!! Where can folks apply for those jobs????

[Tehspilly]

Isn't there already a coal plant at the mouth of the Saginaw bay from the river?

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by Tehspilly

Isn't there already a coal plant at the mouth of the Saginaw bay from the river?

Yes.

[Swansen]

Geo Thermal plants, the wave/current energy is really interesting, and needs to be looked into further. Honestly, i would rather have a Nuclear plant, why, because meltdowns are caused by poor design, and poor maintenance. Secondly, in the US we are the only nation who uses Nuclear energy, but does not recycle the waste, which doesn't make any sense to me. On coal, and many something thats not commonly spread around, coal ash contains a myriad of horrible chemicals, uranium being one... The reason "alternative" energies aren't as productive is because of stranglehold the coal and oil producers have on the market. Power plants use more resources than vehicles, so if they loose the power plant industry, they loose a huge market. SO, in turn there is little money and "energy" put towards furthering alternative energies. Solar power has a lot of room to grow, considering we only use a fraction of the light spectrum to create power. There was actually a coating that can be put on solar panels as well as any glass that is used to generate power. Also, there is the solar technology where sunlight is used to super heat oil (not necessarily petroleum based, as well, the oil used in windmills doesn't have to be petroleum based) and in turn used to create energy. There aren't any actual prototypes, but Microwave based power plants. Where they have solar panels in space and energy is transmitted to earth via microwaves. Just to reiterate there are many alternatives, but as long as the money isn't put towards finding alternatives, nothing will ever happen.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by Swansen

Geo Thermal plants, the wave/current energy is really interesting, and needs to be looked into further. Honestly, i would rather have a Nuclear plant, why, because meltdowns are caused by poor design, and poor maintenance. Secondly, in the US we are the only nation who uses Nuclear energy, but does not recycle the waste, which doesn't make any sense to me. On coal, and many something thats not commonly spread around, coal ash contains a myriad of horrible chemicals, uranium being one... The reason "alternative" energies aren't as productive is because of stranglehold the coal and oil producers have on the market. Power plants use more resources than vehicles, so if they loose the power plant industry, they loose a huge market. SO, in turn there is little money and "energy" put towards furthering alternative energies. Solar power has a lot of room to grow, considering we only use a fraction of the light spectrum to create power. There was actually a coating that can be put on solar panels as well as any glass that is used to generate power. Also, there is the solar technology where sunlight is used to super heat oil (not necessarily petroleum based, as well, the oil used in windmills doesn't have to be petroleum based) and in turn used to create energy. There aren't any actual prototypes, but Microwave based power plants. Where they have solar panels in space and energy is transmitted to earth via microwaves. Just to reiterate there are many alternatives, but as long as the money isn't put towards finding alternatives, nothing will ever happen.

My house is heated and cooled with geo. We have a back-up propane furnace. It came on maybe 5 times this winter. The house is always 70/72.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Driller1

And that gives you plenty of time to smile. That is the problem. It takes up a lot of land for a small return. Yes, we need to keep looking. Did you know those windmills take oil to build and maintain? Lots of it. Sure they produce some energy, just not enough. I ask someone from the DEQ once about putting windmills in the bay. Lots of room, lots of wind. I was told the environmental study on the bay would make them cost more than five new coal plants and take ten years.

What do you mean "takes up a lot of land?" You realize the land surrounding windmills can still be farmed or lived on or boated around, unlike the areas around a coal power plant.

Not saying wind is the answer, but it seems like with conservation and alternative energy, the need for a new coal power plant could be greatly reduced. Question: Why are they thinking about building a new coal power plant when population is shrinking? What madness. If I said I wanted to start a company that would employ 100 people tomorrow, that would take Canadian sludge and dump it into our drinking water, you'd be for it?

I'd be for nuclear power, but again, I don't see why more power generation is needed for a shrinking population.

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by magellan

What do you mean "takes up a lot of land?" You realize the land surrounding windmills can still be farmed or lived on or boated around, unlike the areas around a coal power plant.

Not saying wind is the answer, but it seems like with conservation and alternative energy, the need for a new coal power plant could be greatly reduced. Question: Why are they thinking about building a new coal power plant when population is shrinking? What madness. If I said I wanted to start a company that would employ 100 people tomorrow, that would take Canadian sludge and dump it into our drinking water, you'd be for it?

I'd be for nuclear power, but again, I don't see why more power generation is needed for a shrinking population.

I can tell you due to the lack of future power, Hemlock Semiconductor moved the second phase of their mid-Michigan project. They broke ground last month in Clarksville Tennessee. Congratulates to Clarksville.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Driller1

I can tell you due to the lack of future power, Hemlock Semiconductor moved the second phase of their mid-Michigan project. They broke ground last month in Clarksville Tennessee. Congratulates to Clarksville.

Are you sure? Is that recent news (this week or something)? The last I read, Hemlock was expanding here ($1.2 Billion expansion) and in Clarksville.

Hemlock Semiconductor starts construction of new US$1.2 billion polysilicon plant - Photovoltaics International