I know that at least one mining company in Utah has signed big contracts with China to provide the "cleaner" coal that we have. Whether they are the recipient of the Bryce mine output, I don't know. Quoting erikhansen@thebluezone.net:
Well, I suppose that was before the plants in Utah were built, the damage to Utah's environment has already been done. That is some good news, but these plants and the coal being mined still goes to California. Still, 80% of IPP plant goes to California and was originally built for California.
California will continue to burn coal in Utah for electricity, although it is good news that it will not increase. I do doubt Natural Gas will be an inexpensive energy source for much longer, everybody seems planning to increase its use.
Don is right about California restrictions on plants outside their
borders. The expansion of the IPP coal-fired plant near Lynndyl, Millard Count, was canceled because California is the recipient of most of the electricity from the plant -- and after a new law, California would not allow importation of new power from a coal-fired plant anywhere, even in Utah. -- Joe
--- On Mon, 5/24/10, erikhansen@thebluezone.net <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
From: erikhansen@thebluezone.net <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Threat to Bryce To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Monday, May 24, 2010, 10:22 AM
"I am curious who is the end customer since I have been told that California only allows natural gas generation for new power projects."
Don, I am sure that is a correct statement, but it probably means projects within their borders. Outside of the state, our most recent coal plants (delta and four corners) were built for California demand not Utah. I recall the four corners pollution was the first visible from space, that has hurt the skies in SW Utah, the haze greatly increased. The selling point are jobs, but I would think jobs could be created by other means, S Utah would be great for solar. These plants are of much greater benefit to California (we should at least tax the power going to California rather heavily) than Utah for they allow continued unsustainable growth there. California should be increasing use of solar panels on roofs and develop other things as well (wind and tidal power)
I believe the statement is a half truth of half lie, take your pick.
Erik
I am curious who is the end customer since I have been told that
California only allows natural gas generation for new power projects. I think we need a buffer area around all the national parks and ten miles is not enough. I am just as worried about light pollution as dust. Is the operation going to be 24 hours a day? The federal regulations for reclaiming strip mines are very stringent and you are required to restore the land to its natural state with before and after photographs and replanting native vegetation but I am not sure if the State requirements are as strict and there are no significant requirements for private land. -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of erikhansen@thebluezone.net Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 9:20 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Threat to Bryce
My biggest problem is this will not go to power for Utah, it will go to California so they can circumvent clean air regulation. Tourism is important to S Utah this can only hurt that. Don't forget BP has assured us the environmental harm is exaggerated. We get what we deserve, explain it to your children and grandchildren. We humans sure seem determined to ruin everything of beauty on this planet. My friend in Fla. says he can SMELL the oil in the gulf, and he's 10 miles from the coast. --- On Sun, 5/23/10, Jay Eads <jayleads@gmail.com> wrote:
From: Jay Eads <jayleads@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Threat to Bryce To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Sunday, May 23, 2010, 3:23 PM Another article on this from last fall in the DNews at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705345869/Environmental-groups-challenge- strip-mining-permit-near-Bryce-Canyon-National-Park.html "David Nimkin, southwest regional director for the National Parks Conservation Association, also opposes the permit because of the impact it will have on the park. He asserts that the clean air, night skies and views would be threatened *by dust and light pollution generated by the mine*." Strip mining operates 24/7 and the lights used at night look like Las Vegas if you have ever seen this back east. Not a good thing for the skies at Bryce. Here is a M 4600 working at night and as the narrator says at the beginning "lights up like daytime." Imagine several of these machines operating that close to Bryce, I do think it will have an impact. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpRVgVHXOco On Sun, May 23, 2010 at 1:34 PM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
No comment!
Yes, I do believe this will put Bryce at risk as well as the area around > it. > Funny things about it as the article alludes to. What worries me more are > the comments that people are leaving behind. Wrong place to mine. I hope > the Feds refuse to allow the company to expand and that they perhaps step > in > on this one since it threatens Bryce. > > On Sun, May 23, 2010 at 11:45 AM, Joe Bauman > <josephmbauman@yahoo.com>wrote: > >> Hi Friends, This article has me worried about the wonderful >> opportunities >> for astronomy at Bryce. I suspect a strip mine only ten miles away would >> kick up enough dust to degrade the seeing. What do you think? -- Joe >> >>
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700034412/Utahs-first-strip-mine.html
>> >> >> >> >>
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