"Revamping the electric grid could yield huge cost savings, SolarCity report says"

[jflorey2]

Calaphonies would kill to only have to pay 8-cents per Kwh.

No, we wouldn't. But believe that if it makes you feel good. Remember - it's all about how you feel.

[DanKegel]

No, we wouldn't.

I'd gladly pay a little more for power if it meant there'd still be snowy mountains and fish to catch for my grandkids.

[solarix]

I think the long term result of alternative electrical generation will be a change in the monopoly structure of the utilities. As long as the central generation of electricity is the only option then it has made sense to grant a monopoly to utilities to produce power for everyone in the cheapest way. Never mind the potential health and environmental indirect costs. But now that there are clean, renewable alternatives - it now makes sense to turn electrical generation back to the market. Let the utilities keep a monopoly on power distribution, but separate the generation and level the playing field. No subsidies for nuclear R&D, coal safety, nat gas depreciation allowance, etc etc. Let both sides pay their fair share and I'll be glad to pay for access to the distribution grid. Yes, electric rates will go up but we've been subsidizing the dirty fuel industries for a long time in the name of cheap energy for ratepayers.

[SunEagle]

I'd gladly pay a little more for power if it meant there'd still be snowy mountains and fish to catch for my grandkids.

I believe most people would pay extra for a scenic and safe environment for their grandkids including myself. Although I have to temper what and where I spend my money so my that my children and their children are not burdened with my debt by foolish spending.

If people are truly concerned with CO2 buildup in our air and higher world temperatures then I would expect them to be first in line to reduce all of their power consumption by 1/2, stop driving a fossil fueled auto, and anything else that contributes to green house gas releases so they can be part of the solution instead of just expecting a single Industry to take on the job of making the world a better place.

It all comes down to what is really important to someone and what they can personally do to make that action happen.

[DanKegel]

,,, be part of the solution instead of just expecting a single Industry to take on the job of making the world a better place.

What industry do you think is being asked to take on the entire burden? Perhaps you mean the fossil fuel industry.
Do you think it's unfair to place the burden of preventing tobacco-induced cancers on the tobacco industry?

Seems like a bit of a strawman there, though. Everyone will be affected somewhat, not just the fossil fuel industry.

[SunEagle]

What industry do you think is being asked to take on the entire burden? Perhaps you mean the fossil fuel industry.
Do you think it's unfair to place the burden of preventing tobacco-induced cancers on the tobacco industry?

Seems like a bit of a strawman there, though. Everyone will be affected somewhat, not just the fossil fuel industry.

Tobacco induced cancer comes from tobacco. Hard not to point to the single source of that issue.

Green house gasses comes from many places including cow farts. Anyone that use or purchases a product that is composed or affiliated with fossil fuel is in a way contributing to green house gases. So if it is a problem then we all need to share in the action to reduce those gasses. Why pick on coal when energy, oil, agriculture, chemical production, plastics as well as a few dozen other industries all contribute to the release of green house gasses.

Look I am not saying there isn't a problem. I am saying that because so many people agree that something needs to be done then why aren't all those people contributing NOW to the solution instead of just pointing fingers at the Electrical Generating Industry to do something?

[jflorey2]

Green house gasses comes from many places including cow farts. Anyone that use or purchases a product that is composed or affiliated with fossil fuel is in a way contributing to green house gases. So if it is a problem then we all need to share in the action to reduce those gasses. Why pick on coal when energy, oil, agriculture, chemical production, plastics as well as a few dozen other industries all contribute to the release of green house gasses.

An excellent point, and I'd also mention that cement manufacture is a big CO2 generator. It is the third largest emitter of CO2 in the US and accounts for about 5% of the manmade CO2 produced worldwide.

[Yaryman]

Just some interesting info on the war on coal.
I'm busy friggen around reading instruction books, so I will have no pithy comments to make on the article at this time.

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/war-coal-long-over-guess-140238921.html

[Sunking]

If you are worried about CO2 emissions. Do us a favor and quit breathing you nasty person. Once all of you that worry about CO2 emissions quit breathing, problem solved.

[SunEagle]

Just some interesting info on the war on coal.
I'm busy friggen around reading instruction books, so I will have no pithy comments to make on the article at this time.

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/w...140238921.html

Interesting article if you believe 100% of what NBC broadcasts.

To be honest, I also don't agree with a lot of stuff that comes from the FOX broadcast group. Both of them seem to be a "little" slanted in their feelings around the present US government.

[J.P.M.]

If you are worried about CO2 emissions. Do us a favor and quit breathing you nasty person. Once all of you that worry about CO2 emissions quit breathing, problem solved.

But we'll still have cattle farts right ??

[inetdog]

I watch The Daily Show for news and Fox for comedy...

Although I also get a lot of news from John Oliver.

[Sunking]

But we'll still have cattle farts right ??

Well we need more CO2 to make our earth wetter and greener to support all the idiots and cows to feed them. Worked for the dinosaurs until a meteorite hit earth and froze everything out

[solar pete]

I think the long term result of alternative electrical generation will be a change in the monopoly structure of the utilities. As long as the central generation of electricity is the only option then it has made sense to grant a monopoly to utilities to produce power for everyone in the cheapest way. Never mind the potential health and environmental indirect costs. But now that there are clean, renewable alternatives - it now makes sense to turn electrical generation back to the market. Let the utilities keep a monopoly on power distribution, but separate the generation and level the playing field. No subsidies for nuclear R&D, coal safety, nat gas depreciation allowance, etc etc. Let both sides pay their fair share and I'll be glad to pay for access to the distribution grid. Yes, electric rates will go up but we've been subsidizing the dirty fuel industries for a long time in the name of cheap energy for ratepayers.

+1 well said sir, bravo

[DanKegel]

Why pick on coal

If the goal is lowering co2 emissions without hurting the economy, it makes sense to start with the most economical actions, right?
And if running existing natural gas power plants is cheaper than running existing coal power plants -- and reduces co2 emissions to boot -- what's wrong with that?