The Interdependence of Coal, Electricity and Prosperity

Charles McElwee,one of the name partners of Robinson & McElwee and a consummate lawyer, has done an analysis of the relationship between coal, electricity and economic well-being. Among other things, he explains why renewable energy sources simply won't be sufficient to satisfy the growing need for power in the foreseeable future.  I have linked to the article here.  To get an idea of his position, the following is the preface to the article.

           

          Preface. The “renewable” energies of solar and wind are impractical  alternatives for generating within the next several years any significant percentage of the world’s, including the United States’, and West Virginia’s, demand for electricity.  To contend otherwise is promoting a myth.

Basic to the argument are (1) that all nations, particularly the developing ones, want their citizens to be increasingly prosperous; (2) that expanding prosperity is dependent on greater electricity consumption for there is a correlation between levels of prosperity and the use of electricity; and (3)  that presently and at least for the next twenty-five years, hydrocarbons are the only fuels that can generate electricity on the scale, at the cost, and with the dependability that the world, including the United States, will require.