CLINTON —
Obama’s hostility toward the coal industry started before he became president.
While campaigning in 2008, Obama promised his cap-and-trade energy policy would make electricity prices “necessarily skyrocket” and he added, “So if somebody wants to build a coal plant, they can — it’s just that it will bankrupt them.”
Thankfully, cap-and-trade was defeated by Congress.
But following the bill’s defeat, Obama declared, “cap-and-trade was just one way of skinning the cat; it was not the only way. It was a means, not an end. And I’m going to be looking for other means to address this problem.”
As a result of the destructive regulatory agenda that Obama implemented through the EPA, many existing coal-fired generation plants have been forced to shut down, and plans for expansions and new construction have been canceled—even with the new “clean” coal technologies.
When PJM Interconnection (the company that operates the electric grid for 13 states) held its 2015 capacity auction this spring, the market clearing price for new 2015 capacity was $135 per megawatt — 8 times higher than the price for 2012. For the northern Ohio territory served by FirstEnergy, the price is a shocking $357 per megawatt.
These are not computer models or projections or estimates. These are the actual prices that electric distributors have agreed to pay for new capacity. Of course, these increased costs will be passed on to consumers at the retail level and in our personal utility bills. Can you afford to pay for this penalty?
Just look at California — the most bankrupt state in our country. What did industry do when the state implemented such tight energy regulations that they couldn’t afford to compete?
Not only will we be paying extremely high utility bills to keep our lights on, our jobs will vanish as industries move overseas — including to China — the biggest importer of our coal.
Unlike the Left would like you to believe, this election is not about women’s right or government-run programs — it’s about our economy. If there are no jobs and sky-high consumer prices, we will see the economic collapse of our country. All citizens, but especially those of us with coal-powered energy, need to express our concern when we vote in November.
Susan Seil,
Clinton
Opinion
READER'S LETTER: President not good for coal industry
- Opinion
-
- A few issues to be resolved This past week was once again rumored to be the last week for legislators at the Statehouse, but while many of the major budget bills were agreed upon, a few of the most stubborn issues remain to be resolved. The House and Senate have now agreed on h
-
LEVINE: Preparing for another child
With a little more than a month before another child occupies my home, it's becoming more apparent every day that my daughter is ready for her first sibling.
-
Seizure of AP phone records insult to independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
-
Herald's chicken lady says farewell
Our lives are like the chapters of a book. Each crisp page we turn is like a new day in our lives.
-
LEVINE: Access to information vital in society
When a Clinton County judge ruled in 2012 that the Clinton City Council violated the open meetings law, it sent a direct message to current City Council members that operating in secret would not be tolerated.
-
Mayor gives reasons for not signing Humane Society agreement
The agreement that was approved by the Clinton City Council at the April 23 meeting between the city of Clinton and the Clinton Humane Society went into effect Tuesday without the signature of the mayor. With any action the City Council takes the ma
- Dutch Days reflects community steeped in tradition It started back in 1974 with a Dutch dinner organized by the Fulton Community Christian School women's auxiliary. In the years that followed, the dinner continued and the event grew into what is now known as Dutch Days, expanding to include downtown
-
READER'S LETTER: Help letter carriers 'Stamp Out Hunger'
Every year the National Association of Letter Carriers joins with its local community food banks to coordinate the nations' largest one day food drive. More than 1,400 branches across the country participate to help feed the hungry. With every bag,
-
LEVINE: Health issues still a concern for residents
The health of Clinton County residents represented a mixed bag in the annual county rankings. On one hand, the county is making progress in health outcomes. On the other, the county is declining in health factors.
- Make sure the humane society agreement stays in place I would like to thank the Clinton Herald for all the local and national news coverage. I would like to encourage our mayor to accept the proposal from the Clinton Humane Society. We need to make Clinton a safe place for our family and our families pe
- More Opinion Headlines
