Coal support still not as strong as that of renewables (sorry ACCCE)
The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) is touting the results of a Morning Consult poll, which appears to indicate an increase in support for coal-based electricity. In the meantime, Oregon is increasing its clean energy stakes and activists are taking Citigroup to task in New York and California for its coal activities.
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Credit: Rainforest Action Network |
The national poll conducted by Morning Consult revealed that
54 percent of registered voters 'totally approve' of the use of
coal to generate electricity, compared to 32 percent who
'totally disapprove,' and 14 percent who have no opinion.
"Once again, the writing is on the wall -- American voters
overwhelmingly support the use of coal to generate electricity.
And once again, public opinion does not match public policy,"
ACCCE said in a statement. "Despite the near-constant
fearmongering campaign conducted by this administration and its
allies, the electorate continues to recognize the importance
coal plays in the production of affordable and reliable energy."
Meantime, activists led by Rainforest Action Network held
simultaneous protests in front of Citigroup's New York City and
San Francisco offices to demand that the company stop funding
coal mining. Activists carried large placards and passed out
fliers depicting Citigroup's role as a scavenger bank, preying
on the dying coal mining industry and communities that have
already suffered at the hands of this dirty business. The group
also included "corporate vultures," hybrid creatures in business
suits with vulture heads, to illustrate that Citigroup has gone
too far in trying to squeeze the last drop of profit out of
coal. In New York City, protesters enacted a street performance
to illustrate that Citi can make the right choice to move
towards a carbon-free economy and a just transition for
coal-affected communities.
Last year, Citi enacted a policy to reduce coal mining investments and promised billions in financing for green energy. Despite this policy, Citigroup has entered into negotiations to finance the purchase of three large coal mines in New Mexico and Colorado from coal giant, Peabody Energy, according to RAN, to the tune of $650 million.
"As a bank that claims to be a leader on climate change, Citi has no business financing operations that double down on coal," said Ben Collins with Rainforest Action Network.
In Oregon, meanwhile, a new law, SB 1547, doubles Oregon's access to renewable energy -- raising the state renewable energy law to 50 percent renewables by 2040. Under the bill, electricity allocated to PacifiCorp and PGE customers would not include any coal-fired generation by January 1, 2030, except for a small amount associated with PGE's minority ownership of Colstrip, which will be excluded no later than 2035, according to Jennifer Martin, partner at Stoel Rives in Portland.
For more:
- see the
poll results
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http://www.smartgridnews.com/story/coal-support-still-not-strong-renewables-sorry-accce/2016-03-04