The Illinois Times published my guest op-ed this week about ending state coal subsidies. I'm excited about this one.
Although the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity promotes green jobs in the new energy economy, the Office of Coal Development keeps downstate officials disproportionately focused on nostalgia for old coal jobs. The empty promise of reviving coal led to disappointment in Mt. Vernon, Mattoon and Taylorville. The state wasted tens of millions in direct payments and offered tax breaks to subsidize “clean coal” plants proposed in those communities that never materialized.Message makers in the big green groups should take note that the editorial only makes passing reference to the environment and argues how the new energy transition can be good for coal country economically.
“Clean coal” pipe dreams squandered years of effort and money that could have been used to attract green jobs to communities that badly need them. Now, even extreme coal boosters like Congressman John Shimkus, who supported the projects, admit carbon sequestration isn’t economically viable or ready for large-scale deployment.