The clean coal kerfuffle

Posted: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:29 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Joe Biden

From NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy and Mike Memoli
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- While the press is abuzz about rumors of McCain’s first press conference today since August 13, his campaign is pushing a very different talking point -- the Obama-Biden campaign’s alleged opposition to clean coal.

After receiving the endorsement of the International Union of Operating Engineers’ Local 18 in Strongsville this morning, McCain gave a brief statement to the media, saying that clean coal would be a large part of his job-creation agenda.

“One important way that we are going to create jobs here is with the development of additional nuclear power plants and through investments in clean coal technology,” he said. “We will invest as much as two billion dollars a year to develop clean coal technology. America sits on the world’s largest coal reserves and we have to use it. Clean coal technology is the best way.”

He then pointed to an exchange that Biden had with a questioner last week in Ohio, which is now making the rounds in the form of a YouTube video. When asked why he is supporting clean coal when “wind and solar are flourishing” in Ohio, Biden said that his ticket wasn’t supporting increased use of coal.

“We're not supporting ‘clean coal,’” Biden said. “Guess what -- China's building two every week. Two dirty coal plants. And it's polluting the United States. It's causing people to die... No coal plants here in America. Build them, if they're going to build them over there make 'em clean because they're killing you.”

Biden spokesman David Wade released a statement, saying that the Obama-Biden ticket does indeed support clean coal: Biden’s “point is that China is building coal plants with outdated technology every day, and the United States needs to lead by developing clean coal technologies.”

Biden's comments aside, moreover, Obama has always supported clean coal. Here's what he said in his acceptance speech at the Democratic convention: "As President, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power."

Still, McCain said this is a point of distinction between himself and his opponents. “My opponent is against the expansion of nuclear power,” he said. “His running mate here in Ohio recently said that they weren’t supporting clean coal, either. And the fact is that their billions of dollars in higher taxes would kill jobs here in Ohio. That’s not what Ohio needs and that’s not what America needs.” (Note: As Obama said in his convention speech, he hasn't ruled out expanding nuclear power.)

McCain’s campaign also quickly announced the formation of the “McCain-Palin campaign's Coalition to Protect Coal Jobs,” which was announced today on a conference call including West Virginia Rep. Shelly Moore Capito, former Virginia Gov. and Sen. George Allen, former Colorado Rep. Scott McInnis, and RNC Chairman Mike Duncan.

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Comments

The Greens own Obama. He's not going let anyone dig a hole in the ground for something as trivial as fuel.

Mr. Green Jeans (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:39 PM)

“One important way that we are going to create jobs here is with the development of additional nuclear power plants and through investments in clean coal technology,” he said. “We will invest as much as two billion dollars a year to develop clean coal technology. America sits on the world’s largest coal reserves and we have to use it. Clean coal technology is the best way.”

Just no jobs for regular Americans...if you want to get lung disease or glow at night you are in good shape though...

Rojer Ramjet (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:40 PM)

Is Biden and Obama still on the same ticket ?????
Biden is disagreeing at every turn with Obama. Doesn't like that ticket is holding up very well.
I guess Biden was right on one of his disagreements with obama, that Hillary was the better choice !

Anyone but obama (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:40 PM)

Biden makes a great point, for every one clean coal plant we make China builds two or more. We as a nation must lead the world in truly clean renewable energy sources.

If we can not make this happen how can we expect anyone in the world to do better also?

http://lastofourkind.blogspot.com

LoOK (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:41 PM)

Come on McCAin, no more lies. I am scared to death of you and especially Palin.

karen bourland leawood ks (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:41 PM)

McCain consistently lies and distorts in a lame attempt to gain advantage. The problem is, many people don't check the facts for themselves.

John, Morgan Hill, California (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:41 PM)

I want to know why ,,,,, neither canidate has talked much or even given consideration to natural gas ???
The switch over would be easy and would free us from foreign oil. There are trucks, cars and city transportation vechiles that already use natural gas.
This would seem like a no brainer !!!!!

Independent voter (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:42 PM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
'Clean coal' makes about as much sense as calling John McCain an outsider!

twocanpete (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:42 PM)

There is no such thing as "clean coal". With all the technology they can muster, it still produces far too much CO2 for stemming the tide of climate change.

This is one of the biggest lies being perpetuated on the American people today.

No Such Thing As Clean Coal (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:43 PM)

Coal, coal, coal. More coal mine deaths coming!

coal guy (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:44 PM)

In whose back yard will mccain build nuclear power plants in?

LJ los angeles (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:44 PM)

Biden stop the gaffing please man!! I know what you're trying to say but . . . don't give them a out to change the topic. Pause then talk don't be so quick.

Matthew, Newark NJ (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:45 PM)

they aren't... because the technology to create clean coal isn't there yet. They support investments for technology to produce clean coal... but they aren't supportive of building more coal plants without updated technology!

McCain is such a schmuck.. I want him to tell us why they aren't letting the investigation on troopergate continue? Or why Palin isn't giving interviews? She can't even do a townhall without having grandpa talk for her... which isn't saying much!

just the facts (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:45 PM)

BHO: "As President, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power."

This is almost Clinton-esque. To tap our natural gas reserves, Obama would need to open up regions both on and off shore to mine that gas. He won't do that though. "Invest in clean coal technology" means just that, he'll invest in the technology, but won't do anything to mine the coal. And last, but certainly not least, "find ways to safely harness nuclear power". Okay, Japan, France, and others have been doing that for some time now. We've not had a accident in 30+ years. So I'd say the goal of safely harnessing nuclear power has occurred. Now ask Obama how many nuke plants he'll commit to building. The answer is none.

BHO Is Turning Into WJC (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:46 PM)

I want someone to ask McCain where he plans on storing nuclear waste? Once that's done, NV will turn blue!

just the facts (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:46 PM)

If Biden's slip on his "clean coal" comment is the best the McCain camp can do, they are in big trouble, especially when Lieberman has to whisper that Al Queda is not in Iran to McCain during one of his middle east speeches. Calling out "mis-speaks" will back fire, especially for McBush.

John, Sacramento (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:47 PM)

I wonder if Obama will let us hunt whales. You know, so we can burn their oil in our lamps.

Captain Ahab (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:48 PM)

Anyone but Obama: Biden is not disagreeing with Obama. He is saying that we should not have coal plants unless it is clean coal. I agree. We should not have nuclear plants or coal plants that are going to increase global warming. If the plants uses green technology, then we can use coal and nuclear plants.

voter (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:48 PM)

---Obama has always supported clean coal. Here's what he said in his acceptance speech at the Democratic convention: "As President, I will tap our natural gas reserves, invest in clean coal technology, and find ways to safely harness nuclear power."---

The Obama campaign needs to run dozens of short TV ads every day with this footage.

Jim, Portland (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:48 PM)

In whose back yard will mccain build nuclear power plants in?

LJ los angeles (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:44 PM)

There's 3 within 50 miles of where I live. Clean, cheap power for hundreds of thousands of people. What do you guys do in California? Hamsters on an exercise wheels hooked up generators?

JT R., Pittsburgh PA (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:51 PM)

"Clean Coal" is such an oxy-moron. Biden had it right, let's focus on truly clean energy like wind, solar, geothermal, and hydrogen. McCain is a menace to society.

chris, SC (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:52 PM)

Clean coal? That seems like a bunch of lies.. Build more Nuclear plants? We already have a bunch of radio active waste that no one knows where to store or what to do with with and that is just with the nuclear plants we've got. We have landfills just oozing methane gas that must be burned as it has even more devastating effects on our environment. Why not start taking what we have and turning it into power before doing something that will destroy our world and lives more?

I'm getting skeptical of our two candidates lately.

MN of Phoenix, AZ (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:53 PM)

"In whose back yard will mccain build nuclear power plants in?"
- LJ los angeles
==========================================
Good question, but the plants themselves are safe. Now, as long as we can dispose of the nuclear waste in, say, Arizona and Alaska, then I say go ahead with nuclear plants.

Seriously - we have proven ourselves to be able to safely run nuke plants. One issue, and Obama has said this too, is what to do with the waste. Until we have viable alternatives to store it, then we can't just go full speed ahead building more plants. The other issue is that they are not necessarily cheaper to run, given all of the people required to run a plant under the regulations. Of course, McCain would probably deregulate the plants too, and we'd end up with our own version of Chernobyl.

KJ, CR, IA (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:54 PM)

McCain supports coal technology because he was there when coal was first created.

val Crystal Lake , ILL (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:54 PM)

Right, Old Man...let's try and change the subject...AGAIN!!!

Nobody's paying attention. They're watching The Bernanke and Paulson Show which just reminds us how much the economy has gone into the hopper under you're alleged watch.

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:54 PM)

All McCain is saying (as with his shoot from the hip fire the SEC Commissioner) is that he supports nuclear power and clean cool production starting tomorrow if you vote for me no matter the risk to Americans and be damned first looking for new techonolgy to make such production safe for people and the environment.

All Obama is saying is that he supports nuclear power andd clean cool energy as long as we can produce it and handle the waste using new techonogy that will ensure it is safe for people and the environment.

What is so hard about understanding the differences there.

Just another example out of hundreds how McCain reacts to issues (and crises) by shooting from the hip and not thinking much about the consequences, and Obama's thoughtful reflection of the same before jumping off a cliff.

You want to jump off a cliff. Fine by me. Vote McCain.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:54 PM)

We need coal, nukes, natural gas, and OIL. We also need wind and hydroelectric dams. Environmentalist find reasons to be against ALL OF THE ABOVE; that's right, including windmills. Clean Ocean Action, NJ's very own flat earth socieity, is against windmills because, they claim, birds are too dumb to fly around them, and fish are too dumb to swim around them. They have filed a lawsuit to stop a company from building a natural gas pipeline across the ocean floor, (it will scare the fish), and if you even mention hydroelectric to them, they foam at the mouth.

Carbon Dioxide is as natural as breathing-in fact, it IS what you exhale. Trees take it in and make oxygen. Planting more trees will not solve 'global warming', but it will certainly mitigate SOME of it.

Now, if only someone would explain to me how it was that the Vikings grew wheat in Greenland centuries ago, and whose fault it is that it is now too cold to grow anything there, perhaps we could have a serious discussion about what global warming means, and what, if anything, humans can do to stop it.

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:55 PM)

FR can you do a little research and find out if you get elected for the nomination of president before getting sworn in office can the nominees get impeached or what? I see it coming if the Palin/McCain ticket wins in Nov. on the grounds of misleading the American People with treachery lies to win an election while losing a war.

Jes S.C. (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:56 PM)

John in Morgan Hill and all those who concur ... so does Obama. I think you fail to see that we're just trying to determined how screwed we're going to be, and right now it's as close a call as the polls.

And to the comment on storing nuclear waste and people turning colors -- especially the one posted as "just the facts" (lol) -- nuclear waste is not that hard to store. It's really not a big deal. That's why people who handle nuclear weapons aren't growing arms and legs out of their heads or whatever you're dumb enough to believe. Nuclear energy needs to be easier to use and it needs to be taken advantage of NOW. It is the key to a clean future. (FYI--Obama also supports nuclear power, just in case you didn't know :D )

Face Palm (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:59 PM)

"Clean Coal" is such an oxy-moron. Biden had it right, let's focus on truly clean energy like wind, solar, geothermal, and hydrogen. McCain is a menace to society.

chris, SC (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 1:52 PM)

If your looking to power your short-wave radio. Wind, solar, and geo-thermal will be great alternatives. If you want to meet the future power needs of this country, you going to need some nukes.

Steven Hawking (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:01 PM)

I believe clean coal as well as nuclear power should be part of our solution to our energy needs. But anyone who bothers to think about it at all should realize that things like solar and wind power, which are effectively inexhaustible, should be the major emphasis of any energy plan. Solar and wind are cleaner, won't run out, and will help prevent us being dependant on any other country for energy.

Look to the Future, U.S.A. 2020 (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:01 PM)

Before you neo=cons blow a gasket what they are talking about is the differance between clean burn and unclean burning,which China is now doing.Clean burning has scrubbers in the precess to remove toxic materials.So the bomber just contiunues to spew lies,distort the truth,and play to the neo=con chicken hawks.McShame the country has heard enough lies comming from your no class campaign.Take your lobbist,your talking heads and go BBQ some moose at one of your 8 houses

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:02 PM)

Clean coal is indeed a possibility. They have successfully created a CO2 scrubber and it is testing better than expected. The old argument that coal produces too much CO2 has been changed by technology. We now have the ability to remove CO2 from the air as it leaves the factory and it's not that expensive.

Benjamin Snyder, Beaverton, OR (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:03 PM)

McCain is a bald faced liar. Illinois was awarded the clean coal research plant before Bush suddenly nixed it. No (reasonable) explanation was ever given. Illinois has a huge coal presence downstate and they are powerful. Don't believe McCain when he says Obama is against clean coal. It was even in his acceptance speech.

McCain probably thinks Illinois couldn't possibley have coal, but only corn. Biden needs to get it together.

Todd M (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:04 PM)

Actually in California they have them as well in two places they had to upgrade security after 9/11 though and they had people of a foreign descent casing them until they picked up the suspects. JT R of Pitts. I dont know I think about what it takes to get rid of the waste ad it sounds fine until that factor. All I know is say no to Dipstick & Lipstick '08

Brian M De. (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:05 PM)

Obama is in favor of clean coal. He's also spoken in favor of new nuclear power, but that it has to be done right!

Justin, Smyrna, Georgia (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:05 PM)

Coal? Really? If this doesn't prove that McSame is living in the past, I don't know what will...

Tom, Edison, NJ (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:07 PM)

McCain's message is new everyday, depending on who he is speaking to. How can anyone give serious consideration to anything he says.

PLEASE people, don't let this liar and his Rovian style campaign reel us in.

Obama/Biden 08

Sharon, Antioch, TN (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:08 PM)

There's 3 within 50 miles of where I live. Clean, cheap power for hundreds of thousands of people. What do you guys do in California? Hamsters on an exercise wheels hooked up generators?
JT R., Pittsburgh PA
*******************

JT... if you think nuclear power plants are so great... by up all the land you want around one and hunt there, drink the water and enjoy life. In fact, while relaxing at night google "Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island" and tell me what you think!

just the facts (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:14 PM)

So now the McCain campaign wants to talk coal instead of the economy?

lol

How's this:

It is gonna be a "coal" day in you-know-where before we entrust America to Republicans again.

Nothing the Republicans do is "clean", and that includes coal.

How'd I do?

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:16 PM)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ycPJr7YWmQ&eurl=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/23/john-mccain-the-fundament_n_128496.html

This video shows WHO is responsible for the financial mess and WHO will make it even worse

REPUBLICIANS, hear with your own ears

tr (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:16 PM)

Saying you support clean coal technology is like saying you support unicorns. Neither one exist.

Thank goodness MY GOVERNOR had the brains to realize the difference between a fantasy and reality and vetoed building two new coal plants.

Suz In KS (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:17 PM)

There's 3 within 50 miles of where I live. Clean, cheap power for hundreds of thousands of people. What do you guys do in California? Hamsters on an exercise wheels hooked up generators?
JT R., Pittsburgh PA
***********

LOL. We have 2. San Onifre and Diablo Canyon. As for clean, well, sure..until you have to find a place to dump the waste that can stay hazardous for hundreds of thousands of years (plutonium-239). Where do you want to store that stuff? Within 50 miles of where you live? I didnt think so.

And there is no such thing as clean coal. All you do is pump the CO2 into the ground...which will eventually be released into the air anyway...after killing the bacteria in the soil.

DV, CA (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:17 PM)

You guys do realize coal is never clean? It just gets captured and stored in some underground cave. I don't want this under my house! Come on, get to wind, solar, hydro, tidal power already.

Mean Joe Green (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:17 PM)

anyone but obama...

I guess we could summize the same thing, considering Palin is being kept in a box and away from the american public. She's only allowed to come out and play to read a teleprompter and say "the Palin/McCain" ticket... otherwise, she's in the corner putting lipstick on and talking to Todd on her cell phone.

just the facts (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:18 PM)

Where's Sarah? And why is she so afraid of questons?

Larry Craig (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:18 PM)

How dare all of you for claiming McCain is living in the past. He exemplifies the past.

val Crystal Lake, Ill (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:19 PM)

Here's the main problem. The majority of the American people are morons and the Republican party has realized this. So they go ahead and say whatever it is that they feel the people can be spoon fed! Even it they are outright lies. Because they know that they won't go home and research it.

I weep for this country and deeply fear that for another four years we're going to be ruled by an administration that perfectly illustrates the majority of this country; incompetent, self centered and short sighted sheep who can't stop gambling this country's well being on the hope that it may get better if we keep putting the same ideology in power. Rome's burning and the elephant is playing the fiddle, but it's ok because they're MAVERICKS!!

So Biden made a gaff, I don't seem to remember Obama going after McCain for confusing the SEC with the FEC last week. Hey America how about putting our well being in the hands of an intellectual this time!! I'm tired of the lower denominator being in charge.

College Grad, Common Sense, Earth (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:20 PM)

McCain is despirately grasping at straws to change the subject. God forbit the public focus onthe economic situation that he had a big role in creating or the fact that - apparently - his running mate is dumb as a stump and incompetent -- judging from the frantic way in which they are shielding her from the press at all costs...

And he is lying AGAIN (thanks for pointing it out)-- If Obama were really as bad as he would like people to believe - you would think he would have plenty of good arguments without blatantly fabricating his talking points.

Mkd (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:21 PM)

Another McCain misrepresentation. Barack and Joe are committed not only to using coal, but explanding the possibilites of coal.

Something Joe Biden just said on Saturday in Virginia (9/20):
“Imagine … what Barack and I can do, taking that four billion dollars and investing it in coal gasification,” he said. “That’s within our capacity to do it. If you give me four billion dollars, I promise you, I promise you, we will find the answer.”
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/09/20/1429325.aspx

Yeah, that's from First Read. It's really easy to spot a lie when you read this blog everyday :-D

Miller, Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, September 23, 2008 2:21 PM)

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