A portrait of middle America...

[ollie989898]

Reuters | Breaking International News & Views

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Ok, so Pennsylvania isn't in middle America geographically but I thought this article was interesting as it discussed the fortunes of a coal mining community and family and these areas are often mentioned in passing political discussions here. It outlines the rise and fall of these regions which in an articulate and thought-provoking way. A big community whose heart throbbed because of the coal industry and how the lives of people can be radically changed over time. The population of one of the towns is declining and many houses are left largely abandoned. It states US coal output is declining which I can only assume is because other energy sources have sprung up- I know that some parts of the USA have serious numbers of wind turbines.

Worth a read if you have an interest in such things.

 

[Roger Perry]

The abundance of cheap natural gas from fracking has caused the downturn in coal usage. Still used in many power generation plants, strip mined coal is still cheap energy.

 

[ollie989898]

The abundance of cheap natural gas from fracking has caused the downturn in coal usage. Still used in many power generation plants, strip mined coal is still cheap energy.

I agree, coal is probably the cheapest source of energy for many, of course the USA exports some, too.

 

[Werzle]

Reuters | Breaking International News & Views

Find latest news from every corner of the globe at Reuters.com, your online source for breaking international news coverage.

uk.reuters.com

Ok, so Pennsylvania isn't in middle America geographically but I thought this article was interesting as it discussed the fortunes of a coal mining community and family and these areas are often mentioned in passing political discussions here. It outlines the rise and fall of these regions which in an articulate and thought-provoking way. A big community whose heart throbbed because of the coal industry and how the lives of people can be radically changed over time. The population of one of the towns is declining and many houses are left largely abandoned. It states US coal output is declining which I can only assume is because other energy sources have sprung up- I know that some parts of the USA have serious numbers of wind turbines.

Worth a read if you have an interest in such things.

The same could be said of the coal and steel towns of the uk that were ruined when production stopped

 

[ollie989898]

The same could be said of the coal and steel towns of the uk that were ruined when production stopped

Unfortunately you are right. Though I understand the UK industry had bigger issues from the outset, not least it struggled with international competitiveness and of course the UK moved away from coal for electricity generation. Consumption of coal in the UK these days is very modest.

 

[Roger Perry]

Unfortunately you are right. Though I understand the UK industry had bigger issues from the outset, not least it struggled with international competitiveness and of course the UK moved away from coal for electricity generation. Consumption of coal in the UK these days is very modest.

Was I told that some power plant in UK was hauling lumber out the east coast of America to feed a plant in UK.......?

 

[Henarar]

Was I told that some power plant in UK was hauling lumber out the east coast of America to feed a plant in UK.......?

that's green energy don't you know LOL pathetic isn't it

 

[wanton dwarf]

I agree, coal is probably the cheapest source of energy for many, of course the USA exports some, too.

Coal is the cheapest.

Goes to show how politics of the day can mess up peoples lives.

 

[wanton dwarf]

Was I told that some power plant in UK was hauling lumber out the east coast of America to feed a plant in UK.......?

Yes .. the Climate Nutters really have made a farce of the world.

 

[wanton dwarf]

Unfortunately you are right. Though I understand the UK industry had bigger issues from the outset, not least it struggled with international competitiveness and of course the UK moved away from coal for electricity generation. Consumption of coal in the UK these days is very modest.

I'm afraid the UK has sustained massive damage from the constant battle between Socialists and Conservatives .. peoples lives and way of life matters more IMHO.

 

[Ashtree]

Here we go again!

 

[Al R]

I’m still on anthracite SA through the coal aga, does some cooking but most of the heating of water in the house.

 

[Werzle]

Was I told that some power plant in UK was hauling lumber out the east coast of America to feed a plant in UK.......?

Out of sight out of mind farce

 

[Henarar]

I’m still on anthracite SA through the coal aga, does some cooking but most of the heating of water in the house.

good green renewable energy

 

[ollie989898]

Was I told that some power plant in UK was hauling lumber out the east coast of America to feed a plant in UK.......?

Wood chips from Canada are shipped in for Drax I think, also some companies bring biomass pellets into Avonmouth for use in domestic heating systems. I can only assume this stuff is a by product over there as there are huge timber industries in North America?

 

[br jones]

Was I told that some power plant in UK was hauling lumber out the east coast of America to feed a plant in UK.......?

Here it is ,in all its stupidity ,

5 incredible numbers from the world’s largest biomass port - Drax Global

How the UK’s largest port keeps the biomass rolling in

www.drax.com

And it might well get s subsidy for being green !

 

[br jones]

Wood chips from Canada are shipped in for Drax I think, also some companies bring biomass pellets into Avonmouth for use in domestic heating systems. I can only assume this stuff is a by product over there as there are huge timber industries in North America?

No its not a by product ,trees are cut down to make pellets ,same thing happen here ,timber price is thru the roof

 

[br jones]

Wood chips from Canada are shipped in for Drax I think, also some companies bring biomass pellets into Avonmouth for use in domestic heating systems. I can only assume this stuff is a by product over there as there are huge timber industries in North America?

Here you go ollie

Hardwood forests cut down to feed Drax Power plant, Channel 4 Dispatches claims

A Dispatches investigation has uncovered evidence of hardwood forests being chopped down to provide 'green energy' for the UK. Experts say unique habitats rich in wildlife are under threat as Britain’s power stations switch from burning coal to wood, writes BRENDAN MONTAGUE

theecologist.org

 

[ollie989898]

Here you go ollie

Hardwood forests cut down to feed Drax Power plant, Channel 4 Dispatches claims

A Dispatches investigation has uncovered evidence of hardwood forests being chopped down to provide 'green energy' for the UK. Experts say unique habitats rich in wildlife are under threat as Britain’s power stations switch from burning coal to wood, writes BRENDAN MONTAGUE

theecologist.org

What crock! Might as well burn coal and be done with it according to those figures!

 

[Roger Perry]

No its not a by product ,trees are cut down to make pellets ,same thing happen here ,timber price is thru the roof

What hypocrisy
Whoever dream't that up should hang their heads in shame.
Industrial scale de-forestation when you are sitting on your own supplies of coal and natural gas