[TidesHoss32]

Great questions, and a great post Redneck. My question is this, how is one of the poorest regions in the entire nation going to be able to afford this new energy? I dont think you'll see coal being replaced, especially in this region for several generations for two reasons. Number one, these environmentalists have been placing these "replace coal" threats for years, yet when it comes down to it, nobody wants to invest that kind of money TO replace coal. And that goes not only for the politicians against coal, but the working people that wont be able to afford it. I mean really, this is a country that charges $1.39 for a 20 ounce bottle of water for crying out loud. For those that say "itll be cheaper, natural, blah blah blah", yeah but something has to pay for those plants, and Ill guarantee you itll be so outrageous, that no one, maybe a fraction of a percent will be able to pay for power in their own homes. This will affect businesses (what few are around here), companies, as well as homes. And like you said, if coal is phased out, your taking the highest source of income for families around here, what will THESE people do? This area will be STILL be an afterthought, and Ill bet those politicians that are trying to phase out coal, wont give a crap about our even lower level of poverty.

I gotta agree with Coal Miner on this on this one Devil. How much would it cost the state to produce electricity thru solar, wind, nuclear and hydroelectric power? The BIGGER question is, HOW MUCH more taxes are us hard workin folk gonna have to pay for them big wind mills or a nuclear power plant??? And if every coal mine in KY was shut down monday, we WOULD be without power for a while beacuse there isn't enough stock piles to burn til a nuclear plant etc. was built. I got another question, what would happen to the 1,000's of coal miners that would lose their jobs.