Copenhagen Chronicles Blog

  • Dec 18 2009

    Let Technology Work: CCS

    Coal got some troubling news out of Copenhagen over the last few days as it appears that clean coal technology will not be eligible under the UN's Clean Development Mechanism.

    In light of this news, it's worth recapping why clean coal technology is so critical.

    As most West Virginians could attest, coal is our nation's most abundant domestic energy resource. We have recoverable reserves sufficient to last approximately 250 years and coal currently fuels more than 50% of all electricity generation in the U.S. A full 98% of our state's electricity comes from coal and the industry supports 35,000 direct coal mining jobs, along with tens of thousands of additional jobs throughout the supplychain. Nationwide, coal mining provides as much as $8.2 billion in annual payroll.
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  • Dec 18 2009

    A True Bipartisan Plan

    A few things have been quite clear here in Copenhagen, one of which is an urgent concern over jobs. I've made a point to stress that jobs must be at the forefront of our nation's concerns when it comes to an international agreement like this one.

    Rather than penalizing the Unites States with a national energy tax to meet global greenhouse gas emission standards, President Obama should promote the investment of new technologies while encouraging an all-of-the-above energy plan. I was proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the political aisle to offer such a plan.

    Ours is an American energy bill that will invest in alternative energy, promote new technology, and encourage conservation - all without raising taxes on consumers. The American Conservation and Clean Energy Independence Act would use royalties generated from expanded offshore energy exploration to fund investments in new, cleaner energy technologies and conservation initiatives.
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  • Dec 17 2009

    In Copenhagen, A Bit of Recent Climate Treaty History

    The delegation is officially on the ground in Copenhagen and will be spending the day at the Bella Center. Now for our first post after arriving here in Denmark... Now that we've joined diplomats and politicians from countries around the globe in descending on the city of Copenhagen
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  • Dec 17 2009

    Copenhagen: Meet Waxman-Markey

    Here on day one, I spent some time discussing CCS technology with the Indian environmental minister. It was interesting to hear his perspective on the global need for energy. Demand around the world is incredible.

    At the core of this whole issue, though, is a matter of policy. Here in the states, the policy component of this debate has taken the form of cap-and-trade.

    With the President's stated willingness to commit to a 17% reduction target, it's worth remembering that this is pretty much a direct match to the targets of the 1,400 page Markey-Waxman national energy tax which passed the House earlier this year.
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  • Dec 16 2009

    The Journal Previews Codel

    By this time tomorrow, we should be on the ground in Denmark.  But this morning, the Journal, of Martinsburg, offers a preview.  

    I thought I'd pass along a link.  

    Capito promotes coal, jobs
    The Journal, of Martinsburg
    John McVey

    MARTINSBURG - When she arrives in Copenhagen, Denmark, today for the climate control conference, U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito will bring a message of pro-coal, pro-America and pro-jobs.

    As a member of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, the six-term West Virginia Republican is part of a bipartisan delegation led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to the United Nations-sponsored convention on global warming.

    Capito expects to interface with other countries' delegations, she told The Journal during a telephone interview Tuesday, as well as meet with the head negotiators and probably with President Barack Obama, who should arrive later this week.

    "My main concern is the economic consequences that any decisions will have," Capito said. "I want to be a voice from the United States that represents a different viewpoint on carbon dioxide emissions."

    She wants to emphasize that in addition to renewable fuel sources, technology can make coal a viable alternative. She mentioned technology like "carbon capture and sequestration," known as CCS, wherein the carbon exhaust from coal-fired power plants is captured and stored in natural subterranean areas.

    "CCS makes for a more viable carrot, rather than emissions-target sticks," Capito said.

    Read the rest of John's story over at the Journal's website.

  • Dec 16 2009

    Why We Need a United Congressional Delegation on Energy

    This has been a big year on the energy front and the stakes are pretty significant. With cap-and-trade, an activist EPA and an international agenda culminating in the current COP15 meetings in Copenhagen, West Virginia is in the crosshairs of a damaging convergence of economic obstacles. If there was ever a time that demanded a united front from West Virginia's congressional delegation, this is it.
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  • Dec 15 2009

    Welcome

    If you're reading this blog, you probably already know by now that I'll be joining a bipartisan congressional delegation to COP15, the climate change conference which began last week and continues through the end of this week in Copenhagen.
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  • Dec 15 2009

    My Post Over at The Foundry

    I also posted a blog entry over at the Heritage Foundation's "Foundry" blog. Here's my post over there: As the festivities in Copenhagen got underway last week, there was no shortage of enthusiasm from those pushing for new regulations, new caps and new taxes - all in the name of saving the planet.
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