Will the U.S. Ever Build Another Big Coal Plant?

[rangerrebew]

Will the U.S. Ever Build Another Big Coal Plant?

The coal industry is contracting as plants retire and utilities replace them with natural gas and renewables

    By Benjamin Storrow, ClimateWire on August 21, 2017
 

About 16 percent of the U.S. coal fleet has retired in the past five years, but don't expect major new coal-fired plants to fill that void.

The federal government counts four new coal projects on a list of planned power plants nationwide. Three of those face long odds, and none will be able to replace the millions of tons in lost coal demand resulting from recent retirements, even as the Trump administration has vowed to revive the ailing industry.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/will-the-u-s-ever-build-another-big-coal-plant/

[rangerrebew]

The big natural gas power plant in Mejifornia has filed for bankruptcy so that avenue looks closed.  Then what?  Liberals don't want nuclear energy, natural gas is too costly, and coal too dirty.  Maybe they can capture, and use, cow farts.

[Cripplecreek]

Trump's relationship with the coal industry is going south — and one CEO claims the president broke a personal promise

http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-trump-rebuffs-coal-industry-ceo-claims-promise-broken-2017-8

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has rejected a coal industry push to win a rarely used emergency order protecting coal-fired power plants, a decision one executive said breaks a personal promise from President Donald Trump to take the extraordinary step to benefit the industry.

The Energy Department says it considered issuing the order sought by companies seeking relief for plants it says are overburdened by environmental regulations and market stresses. But the department ultimately ruled it was unnecessary, and the White House agreed, a spokeswoman said.

The decision is a rare example of friction between the beleaguered coal industry and the president who has vowed to save it. It also highlights a pattern emerging as the Trump administration crafts policy: The president's bold declarations — both public and private — are not always carried through to implementation.

[Suppressed]

It also highlights a pattern emerging as the Trump administration crafts policy: The president's bold declarations — both public and private — are not always carried through to implementation.

So, he's acting like the liar he's always been.  You don't say!

[Oceander]

So, he's acting like the liar he's always been.  You don't say!

Exactly.  Anyone who has even a vague acquaintance with his book the art of the deal knows this is SOP.

[Fishrrman]

"Will the U.S. Ever Build Another Big Coal Plant?"

Yes. Of course.
It may take some time -- decades, or longer.
But new coal plants will have to be built. Many of them.

Nuclear power is fini for the short term.
No one (outside of a few vested interests) wants it (sorry for the nuke guys in the forum).
Natural gas is great, as long as it lasts.
But it won't last forever.

When the gas flares out, the coal will come roarin' back.

[Cripplecreek]

Exactly.  Anyone who has even a vague acquaintance with his book the art of the deal knows this is SOP.

He always lies big.

[Smokin Joe]

"Will the U.S. Ever Build Another Big Coal Plant?"

Yes. Of course.
It may take some time -- decades, or longer.
But new coal plants will have to be built. Many of them.

Nuclear power is fini for the short term.
No one (outside of a few vested interests) wants it (sorry for the nuke guys in the forum).
Natural gas is great, as long as it lasts.
But it won't last forever.

When the gas flares out, the coal will come roarin' back.

Perhaps, but more likely something like this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakota_Gasification_Company

Which will not require the modification of older (Natural Gas) plants, and will be more competitive with price changes due to demand for Natural Gas. Using existing pipeline infrastructure could be a plus, too.