Capturing Carbon Drives up Energy Costs

From: American Thinker

By Sierra Rayne

Some odd discussions are taking place on the right side of the political spectrum surrounding climate change policies and energy prices.

Claims by Roger Meiners — a Professor of Economics at the University of Texas at Arlington — that “the latest salvo [by the Obama administration] against fossil fuels, announced this week, ensures higher energy prices in the future. This will discourage domestic investment in favor of going to countries such as China, India, and South Africa that are not shy about building new coal-fired power plants” are fundamentally correct. Efforts by the Obama administration to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are increasing, and will increase, energy prices above the non-GHG reduction counter-factual. And, indeed, raising energy prices slows economic growth and discourages domestic investment.

DOE: Widespread use of CCS “expected to intensify water stress in some areas”

Editor’s Note: Below is a chart from DOE’s new report “The Water-Energy Nexus: Challenges and Opportunities” estimating the increased water consumption that would result from CCS implementation. DOE explains in the the report (p. 42) that “Even if technological advances in CCS reduce the costs, the water and energy intensities of operating these systems are also potential barriers to deployment.”

From: Department of Energy

CarbonCaptureReport

What will EPA’s proposed carbon standards cost? That — still — depends on who you ask

From: E&E Publishing

Nathanael Massey, E&E reporter

When U.S. EPA released its draft rule for power plant greenhouse gas emissions earlier this month, it also handed the public a receipt — in the form of a regulatory impact assessment (RIA) — detailing the plan’s expected costs and benefits.

Long before the RIA was ever issued, however, interested parties were already haggling over the bill.

Ohioans to pay more due to coal restrictions

From: The Daily Standard

Obama administration’s proposed rules meant to cut carbon dioxide emissions

By William Kincaid

ST. MARYS – President Obama’s newly proposed restrictions on existing coal-fired power plants will cost electric consumers in Ohio an extra $40 per month, according to Bill Roberts, vice president and CFO of Buckeye Power Inc.
 
And the Obama administration’s goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions 30 percent by 2030 would have a negligible effect on the environment when compared to the rest of the world’s projected release of emissions from coal plants, he said.
 
“That entire reduction will be offset by less than one year’s growth of the Chinese emissions,” Roberts said Saturday at Midwest Electric’s 77th annual meeting at Memorial High School.

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Clean coal power plants face serious problems

From: Watchdog.org

By Steve Wilson | Mississippi Watchdog

So-called clean coal power plants might not be the answer to new EPA regulations governing the reduction of carbon dioxide.

The EPA released Monday new requirements for Mississippi that would force the state to decrease carbon dioxide emissions 39 percent from 2005 levels. In 2012, the state expended 1,140 pounds of carbon dioxide for every megawatt generated. The EPA wants a plan from the state to decrease that to 692 pounds per megawatt-hour by 2030. The goal of the regulations is to reduce the nation’s carbon emissions 30 percent overall.

More Casualties to Come in the War on Fossil Fuels

From: The Motley Fool

By Reuben Brewer

Coal is the ugly stepchild of the energy world. And, right now, natural gas, the pretty child, is increasingly taking coal’s place. However, both are still the children of carbon, which is at its base a dirty fuel choice. Carbon dioxide is the big boogeyman for coal right now, but U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz is already warning that natural gas is next in line for a scare.

EPA: Wisconsin must cut carbon emissions 34 percent by 2030

From: Green Bay Gazette

Impact unknown until details worked out

Written by Richard Ryman, Press-Gazette Media

The federal government is proposing that Wisconsin cut its carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by one-third by 2030.

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Utilities have worked to make their coal-fired plants more efficient, Manthey said, but there is no viable carbon-capture technology.

“Even if it’s captured, what are you going to do with it?” he said. “Geological formations in Wisconsin are not conducive to storing carbon.”

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