Energy

Northern Plains members hear about possible future for coal

Posted: Nov 12, 2011 6:35 PM by David Jay
Updated: Nov 12, 2011 7:07 PM

BILLINGS - A local conservation group is hearing that alternative energy will eventually replace coal, with wind and solar becoming more cost effective.
Two experts spoke about that message at the Northern Plains Resource Council's 40th annual meeting, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Much of this year's meeting focused on coal.
Both speakers say wind and solar have become more affordable...and that has opened up opportunities.
"King coal, his glory days are over," said Ted Nace, Director of CoalSwarm. "Five years ago, they were talking about building 150 coal plants in the United States, over the next few years and almost all of those coal plants have been stopped."
"As a nation we could phase out coal fire energy over the next few decades at basically negligible cost." said Geoff Keith of Synapse Energy Economics. "That really flies in the face of conventional wisdom or what we've understood about this industry."
Keith says Synapse Energy Economics in Cambridge, will release a report on Wednesday, about coal and alternative energy.

Topics: Northern Plains Resource Council, coal