The Political Climate: an ongoing commentary on the NH Primary and Climate Change

In Myrtle Beach yesterday afternoon, many people gathered outside to show their support for their favorite candidate or issue before the Democratic debate.  Volunteers rallied and chanted with signs for Clinton, Edwards, Obama, health care, an end to aids, climate change action and … coal? 

That’s right.  TPC encountered a group of activists from Americans for Balanced Energy Choices who were passing out stickers, literature and holding signs about “clean coal.” 

According to the Washington Post, ABEC is funded by companies including Arch Coal Inc., Peabody Energy Corp., Duke Energy and Southern Co. and is waging a $35 million “astroturf” campaign to convince the public and candidates that “clean coal” is a viable alternative energy. The group is running TV and radio ads in primary and caucus states and has hired organizers to pass out its materials at candidate events and outside debates.

The Washington Post explains that the coal industry’s multi-million dollar campaign comes in response to mounting opposition to the building of new coal plants, which despite their efforts to get “clean”, still emit tons of global warming pollution.  APEC argues that coal technology is now 70% cleaner because of regulations to limit pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide.  Their well-funded campaign neglects to acknowledge, however, that climate change is caused by carbon emissions, which are NOT yet regulated with existing coal-plant technologies.

The article also points out that even though new coal-plant technologies to capture and store carbon may no longer be considered a “pipe dream,”  they are still very expensive, experimental and not in commercial use. 

It’s a good thing that conservationists from all over South Carolina were present to help clarify the message that there is no such thing as “clean coal” - even though their signs were way cooler than ours.

Check out pictures and read more about the conservation community’s response to the “Clean Coal” campaign in South Carolina.

Interestingly, the last few presidential debates have been sponsored by the same Clean Coal lobby.  None of these debates have included questions about climate change, despite how often the candidates have tried to bring it up.  Coincidence?