[Robaroni]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Natural gas and oil are perfectly safe, all these alternatives like wind and solar need fast acting backup power for when they quit.
I agree coals days are numbered, to our 250 year supply.
I have been on, in and around wind turbines to know how much power they produce and use. After studying wind power generation for the last 3 semesters I can say they produce power inconsistently and unreliably. Whats worse then that is when the wind turbines are not producing power they still consume around 5kw each.

What happened in NY is a great example of what happens when fear, ignorance and fanaticism win. Seems they would rather have their people stuck burning expensive fuel oil or propane to heat their homes rather than give anyone the option to switch to much cheaper natural gas.

"A team of scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey have found evidence “directly linking” the uptick in Colorado and New Mexico earthquakes since 2001 to wastewater injection, a process widely used in the controversial technique of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and conventional drilling."

Scientists Find 'Direct Link' Between Earthquakes And Process Used For Oil And Gas Drilling | ThinkProgress

"Between 2005 and 2009, the oil and gas service companies used hydraulic fracturing
products containing 29 chemicals that are (1) known or possible human carcinogens, (2)
regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act for their risks to human health, or (3) listed as
hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. These 29 chemicals were components of more
than 650 different products used in hydraulic fracturing."

http://democrats.energycommerce.hous...-2011-4-18.pdf

"5. The technical resource potential of the winds above U.S. coastal waters is enough to provide more than 4,000 gigawatts of electricity, or approximately four times the generating capacity of the current U.S. electric power system. Although not all of these resources will be developed, this represents a major opportunity to provide power to highly-populated coastal cities. See what the Energy Department is doing to develop offshore wind in the United States and learn more about the ongoing Offshore Wind Advanced Technology Demonstration projects.

4. The United States generates more wind energy than any other country except China, and wind has accounted for 33 percent of all newly installed U.S. electricity generation capacity over the last seven years.

3. The United States’ wind power capacity reached more than 61 gigawatts by the end of 2013. That’s enough electricity to power nearly 16 million homes annually -- more than the total number of homes in the entire state of California -- and represents nearly a 20-fold increase in capacity since 2000.

2. Wind energy is affordable. Wind prices for power contracts signed in 2013 and levelized wind prices (the price the utility pays to buy power from a wind farm) are as low as 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour in some areas of the country. This is the lowest ever price recorded by the Energy Department’s annual Wind Technologies Market Report.

1. Wind has the potential to supply the country with abundant amounts of clean, renewable energy, but continued support for favorable clean energy policies, such as the Production Tax Credit, is critical to achieving this target. To set the stage for future growth, the Energy Department is developing a new Wind Vision for the future of wind power research, development and deployment throughout the United States. "

Top 10 Things You Didn't Know About Wind Power | Department of Energy

"Coal generates 44% of our electricity, and is the single biggest air polluter in the U.S.

Air pollution: Burning coal causes smog, soot, acid rain, global warming, and toxic air emissions.
Learn more.

Wastes generated: Ash, sludge, toxic chemicals, and waste heat create more environmental problems.
Learn more.

Fuel supply: Mining, transporting, and storing coal levels mountains and pollutes the land, water, and air.
Learn more.

Water use: Coal plants need billions of gallons of cooling water and harm wildlife.
Learn more."

Coal generates 44% of our electricity, and is the single biggest air polluter in the U.S. | Union of Concerned Scientists

That's what we want, 250 more years of poisoning people and the environment.

Should we go into the wars to protect corporate oil interests around the world? What does that cost in lives, war pollution and monetary expense.

"Smog—Who Does It Hurt?
What You Need to Know About Ozone and Your Health"

http://www.epa.gov/airnow/health/smog.pdf

Thanks, I'll take alternates.

Rob