One of the coal industry's most effective tactics is to create a sense of inevitability about their product.
They present coal as the first, last and only realistic option. They point out the limited amount of energy coming from renewable sources as though it won't expand. They point out how much coal is under the ground as if we're obligated to mine it like an infant who sticks everything it finds on the ground in its mouth.
This article shows the other side of the debate that we rarely see, especially in hopelessly biased downstate papers like the Southern Illinoisan. Their editors should look at this as an example of what good reporting looks like when you don't make every story a platform for coal industry advocates.
Even their article on people passionate about stopping global warming quotes the manager of SIUC's coal plant! Seriously, guys?!
I've been wanting to get that off my chest for a while and now I feel better.
(CWLP photo of Hancock county, Iowa wind farm)
Anyway, the article shows that the wind industry is becoming a realistic alternative to coal for economic development.
In a state that for decades has been dominated by coal and nuclear power, wind energy is steadily becoming a big deal in Illinois. Other states boast stronger winds, and some are further ahead in attracting investment from renewable energy companies. But many parts of Illinois are windy enough to be suitable for wind farms. Moreover, the state already has a well-developed transmission grid that makes it easier to dispatch electricity generated through wind power from rural sites to energy-hungry cities. And after falling behind other states in offering incentives, state government has taken a number of steps to make Illinois more attractive for wind development.
Illinois got off to a slow start because our agenda is set by the coal industry. The downstate economy will grow when our political leaders become advocates for new energy jobs instead of keeping us solely dependent on King Coal. It looks like Pat Quinn is finally moving us in that direction.
Of course, I like this part about Springfield:
After negotiations with the Sierra Club, the Springfield utility also is making a huge investment in carbon-free wind energy, drawing enough to power the Statehouse and other state office buildings. Even with the larger coal unit, CWLP is expected to generate 25 percent less carbon dioxide than it did before, a feat equivalent to taking more than 100,000 cars off the road. “Plus we still have some of the lowest rates in the state,” says Eric Hobbie, the utility’s chief engineer.
CWLP is greener than Ameren and still has lower rates. Maybe Ameren could afford renewable power and lower rates if they spent less on lobbyists and campaign contributions.