Falling Chinese Coal Consumption and Output Undermine Global Market - WSJ:
Finally, Finally, Finally...
China has finally started to cut back on it's production and use of dirty coal. China now consumes far more than half of the world's coal.
It's a perfect time for them to do so, with all energy prices so low, the Chinese economy growing slow(er) and the costs/consequences of pollution from coal becoming more and more conspicuous.
It is also interesting that this article talks about peak coal. It seems that peak oil and peak coal have been pushed back with the overwhelming supply of cheap(er) oil and gas from new technologies (fracking, horizontal drilling, etc.)
In China's case it may be peak pollution, where the health costs, environmental costs and quality of life costs are are starting to overpower the perception of coal being a cheap energy source.
Doing non-sustainable stuff, especially for long periods of time, has its costs and unintended consequences.
Sustainable Growth...
'via Blog this'
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Friday, February 27, 2015
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Pain in the Ash: Spill spews tons of coal ash into NC Dan River - CNN.com
Spill spews tons of coal ash into North Carolina's Dan River - CNN.com:
Oh what a pain it is! ... A Pain in the Ash, so to speak.
One of the dirty little secrets of Coal is the ash!. The massive 2008 spill in TVA should have been a bit of a wakeup call. But this phone has been ringing for centuries. There's impurities in coal, including sulfur and heavy metals like lead and arsenic. See the EPA letter on the TVA spill. And coal power releases 100 times as much radiation into the environment as a nuclear power plant. High concentrations of uranium and thorium are released into the environment around a plant from the fly ash. See APA on this ash issue.
The other secrets are that about 10,000 people die in mines per year, most of them coal, and often in China. There's the impact to air and water that many estimates impact the health of hundreds of millions of people.
The bull in the China closet, of course, is -- well -- China. They burn more than half of the world's coal right now. PRC is still opening still are opening 1 to 2 coal power plants per week, unless that has changed. And they are much less worried about how much pollution escapes into the air and water. The summer Olympics were distinctive for the air pollution, and athletes trying to compete in smog.
This smog and pollution is "shared" with neighboring countries, and the world at large. Even the Americas on occasion get a beautiful sunset, complements of the Peoples Republic.
As well, coal is a huge greenhouse gas producer of CO2, something that is invisibly shared with the whole of the planet... and no one knows what the true costs and full consequences are. But we do know that CO2 as a greenhouse gas lasts about 100 years, so whatever the impacts are, they will be very, very, very long lasting.
Many economist suggest a tax on something that has distinctive, negative externalities. Maybe coal would be a candidate!? Taxes on cigarettes are an example. A gradual tax domestically seems logical. Maybe the rest of the world should tax all the coal that gets exported to China, as well. How about an import tax on those products that are primarily produced by dirty Chinese electricity?
The dirty little secrets of coal are getting out. It's been 2 centuries that coal has ruled the power infrastructure. It is time to seriously address this "open" secret.
If you are a stockholder or a customer of Duke, it is time to give the Duke a nudge, and elbow, or even a brisk kick in the 'ash!...
'via Blog this'
Oh what a pain it is! ... A Pain in the Ash, so to speak.
One of the dirty little secrets of Coal is the ash!. The massive 2008 spill in TVA should have been a bit of a wakeup call. But this phone has been ringing for centuries. There's impurities in coal, including sulfur and heavy metals like lead and arsenic. See the EPA letter on the TVA spill. And coal power releases 100 times as much radiation into the environment as a nuclear power plant. High concentrations of uranium and thorium are released into the environment around a plant from the fly ash. See APA on this ash issue.
The other secrets are that about 10,000 people die in mines per year, most of them coal, and often in China. There's the impact to air and water that many estimates impact the health of hundreds of millions of people.
The bull in the China closet, of course, is -- well -- China. They burn more than half of the world's coal right now. PRC is still opening still are opening 1 to 2 coal power plants per week, unless that has changed. And they are much less worried about how much pollution escapes into the air and water. The summer Olympics were distinctive for the air pollution, and athletes trying to compete in smog.
This smog and pollution is "shared" with neighboring countries, and the world at large. Even the Americas on occasion get a beautiful sunset, complements of the Peoples Republic.
As well, coal is a huge greenhouse gas producer of CO2, something that is invisibly shared with the whole of the planet... and no one knows what the true costs and full consequences are. But we do know that CO2 as a greenhouse gas lasts about 100 years, so whatever the impacts are, they will be very, very, very long lasting.
Many economist suggest a tax on something that has distinctive, negative externalities. Maybe coal would be a candidate!? Taxes on cigarettes are an example. A gradual tax domestically seems logical. Maybe the rest of the world should tax all the coal that gets exported to China, as well. How about an import tax on those products that are primarily produced by dirty Chinese electricity?
The dirty little secrets of coal are getting out. It's been 2 centuries that coal has ruled the power infrastructure. It is time to seriously address this "open" secret.
If you are a stockholder or a customer of Duke, it is time to give the Duke a nudge, and elbow, or even a brisk kick in the 'ash!...
'via Blog this'
Friday, January 24, 2014
China Pollution Is Blanketing America's West Coast - Business Insider
China Pollution Is Blanketing America's West Coast - Business Insider:
Oh boy.
We export raw materials and coal to China so they can make finished goods and export them back to us in the West/USA. They don't have the safety worries that we do... Some of the externalities affect only China, but many affect us all, especially those countries and environments closer to the mainland of China.
"Cities like Los Angeles received at least an extra day of smog a year from nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide from China's export-dependent factories, it said.
"We've outsourced our manufacturing and much of our pollution, but some of it is blowing back across the Pacific to haunt us," co-author Steve Davis, a scientist at University of California Irvine, said."
Yuk! :-(
A good economist would argue that products (say coal, especially the really dirty, high sulfur stuff) that produce negative externalities should be assessed a tax that roughly matches the costs of the externality. Using this logic, we would tax coal (especially high sulfur coal) that goes to a developing country, and tax them even more if they intend to burn the coal without scrubbers and such. This might not stop them from burning coal, but it would make other options more attractive that are cleaner (less negative externalities).
Unfortunately, China has a LOT of coal in the country. They now burn more than half the world's coal each year, so they do have to import it as well.
'via Blog this'
Oh boy.
We export raw materials and coal to China so they can make finished goods and export them back to us in the West/USA. They don't have the safety worries that we do... Some of the externalities affect only China, but many affect us all, especially those countries and environments closer to the mainland of China.
"Cities like Los Angeles received at least an extra day of smog a year from nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide from China's export-dependent factories, it said.
"We've outsourced our manufacturing and much of our pollution, but some of it is blowing back across the Pacific to haunt us," co-author Steve Davis, a scientist at University of California Irvine, said."
Yuk! :-(
A good economist would argue that products (say coal, especially the really dirty, high sulfur stuff) that produce negative externalities should be assessed a tax that roughly matches the costs of the externality. Using this logic, we would tax coal (especially high sulfur coal) that goes to a developing country, and tax them even more if they intend to burn the coal without scrubbers and such. This might not stop them from burning coal, but it would make other options more attractive that are cleaner (less negative externalities).
Unfortunately, China has a LOT of coal in the country. They now burn more than half the world's coal each year, so they do have to import it as well.
'via Blog this'
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
How China’s economy is choking on smog | Talking Numbers - Yahoo Finance
How China’s economy is choking on smog | Talking Numbers - Yahoo Finance:
Imagine your favorite city closed down because of the weather, maybe a blizzard... Many of China's cities can have the same problem, but it is because of smog pollution.
This is a country that burns more coal than the rest of the world, combined.
Nice thing is that they share this pollution with their neighbors.
Plus the burning of coal is a gigantic producer of CO2 emissions.
At what point does this pollution start to curb the 7% economic growth that the company continues to experience? Certainly down from decades of more than 10% growth, but it is hard to grow with the traffic congestion and pollution slowing down ad periodically stopping the economy.
Things that are not sustainable, like rapid growth, have a way of producing their own remedy.
'via Blog this'
Imagine your favorite city closed down because of the weather, maybe a blizzard... Many of China's cities can have the same problem, but it is because of smog pollution.
This is a country that burns more coal than the rest of the world, combined.
Nice thing is that they share this pollution with their neighbors.
Plus the burning of coal is a gigantic producer of CO2 emissions.
At what point does this pollution start to curb the 7% economic growth that the company continues to experience? Certainly down from decades of more than 10% growth, but it is hard to grow with the traffic congestion and pollution slowing down ad periodically stopping the economy.
Things that are not sustainable, like rapid growth, have a way of producing their own remedy.
'via Blog this'
Friday, September 20, 2013
EPA proposes strict emission limits on new power plants
EPA proposes strict emission limits on new power plants:
Coal power plants, especially new ones, are under fire.
As well they should be. Deaths in mining, deaths and health associated with smog and pollution, and the dirty secret of coal ash are enough to make a sane person push back from more coal power plants.
BUT, here's the kicker. What if we ship all of our coal over to China and have them burn it without any of the scrubbers and safety that we have in the Sates. ???
China now burns half of the world's coal. It's causing them some smog problems and social unrest, but ...
India, of course is increasing rapidly as well.
If we don't burn it hear, only to have it burned there, then what have we really gained? :-(
'via Blog this'
Coal power plants, especially new ones, are under fire.
As well they should be. Deaths in mining, deaths and health associated with smog and pollution, and the dirty secret of coal ash are enough to make a sane person push back from more coal power plants.
BUT, here's the kicker. What if we ship all of our coal over to China and have them burn it without any of the scrubbers and safety that we have in the Sates. ???
China now burns half of the world's coal. It's causing them some smog problems and social unrest, but ...
India, of course is increasing rapidly as well.
If we don't burn it hear, only to have it burned there, then what have we really gained? :-(
Sunday, July 21, 2013
US energy use dropped in 2012 as renewables, natural gas rose | Ars Technica
US energy use dropped in 2012 as renewables, natural gas rose | Ars Technica:
Yes, the US has backed off a little with energy use during the recession, especially.
That would be a good thing if not for the emissions from China and India.
This is an AMAZING chart of the energy in and the energy out within the USofA. This has been an interesting chart to watch over the years.
~95.1 Quads
That is Quadrillion BTUs. (British Thermal Unit). If you think a Quadrillion is a LOT, you are right.
Double interesting in this picture is the the "rejected energy". That is 58.1, estimated to be the same as that used. Therefore the right side is about 116.2 (58.1 + 58.1). I guess the left side is the 95.1
It takes some time to fully understand this diag, over time it is very interesting.
Note the drop in Coal in the US. Nat gas is so clean and cheap it is likely to put coal out of business. In the USA anyway.
We'll send it to China? By now China must have exceeded half of the worlds coal consumption.
Want to look at forecasts of the future, go to US Energy Information Administration Annual Energy Outlook 2013.
'via Blog this'
Yes, the US has backed off a little with energy use during the recession, especially.
That would be a good thing if not for the emissions from China and India.
This is an AMAZING chart of the energy in and the energy out within the USofA. This has been an interesting chart to watch over the years.
~95.1 Quads
That is Quadrillion BTUs. (British Thermal Unit). If you think a Quadrillion is a LOT, you are right.
Double interesting in this picture is the the "rejected energy". That is 58.1, estimated to be the same as that used. Therefore the right side is about 116.2 (58.1 + 58.1). I guess the left side is the 95.1
It takes some time to fully understand this diag, over time it is very interesting.
Note the drop in Coal in the US. Nat gas is so clean and cheap it is likely to put coal out of business. In the USA anyway.
We'll send it to China? By now China must have exceeded half of the worlds coal consumption.
Want to look at forecasts of the future, go to US Energy Information Administration Annual Energy Outlook 2013.
'via Blog this'
Monday, December 3, 2012
Better BTU Blog: Global Climate Change Summit Brings Questions of America’s Role in Reversing Carbon Trends
Better BTU Blog: Global Climate Change Summit Brings Questions of America’s Role in Reversing Carbon Trends:
Great article on the point that no government is leading on sustainability, at least in terms of those countries that count, namely the US, China and maybe India.
It is amazing and surprising that conservation and energy efficiency (EE) efforts don't move forward even without any government assistance or encouragement. A kilowatt or gallon never used is one that never had to be produced, distributed, and consumed. At least up to a point, the costs associated with EE can be very small with a ROI in months, not years. Then those efficiency savings can be realized for years to come... (And oh, by the way, it helps out the environment as well, now and in the future.)
Of course we can do some of this stuff later today or tomorrow. The low-lying fruit would be so easy to start picking at.
Getting started with or without government help (involvement) seems to be the first order of business. Savings this year that will be realized each year thereafter...
... This is a (Christmas) gift that keeps on giving...
Keywords: Better BTU, carbon emissions, China, Doha, economics, emissions, gasification, global warming, Green Climate Fund, greenhouse gases, PricewaterhouseCoopers, renewable energy, technology, United Nations, World Bank
'via Blog this'
Great article on the point that no government is leading on sustainability, at least in terms of those countries that count, namely the US, China and maybe India.
It is amazing and surprising that conservation and energy efficiency (EE) efforts don't move forward even without any government assistance or encouragement. A kilowatt or gallon never used is one that never had to be produced, distributed, and consumed. At least up to a point, the costs associated with EE can be very small with a ROI in months, not years. Then those efficiency savings can be realized for years to come... (And oh, by the way, it helps out the environment as well, now and in the future.)
Of course we can do some of this stuff later today or tomorrow. The low-lying fruit would be so easy to start picking at.
Getting started with or without government help (involvement) seems to be the first order of business. Savings this year that will be realized each year thereafter...
... This is a (Christmas) gift that keeps on giving...
Keywords: Better BTU, carbon emissions, China, Doha, economics, emissions, gasification, global warming, Green Climate Fund, greenhouse gases, PricewaterhouseCoopers, renewable energy, technology, United Nations, World Bank
'via Blog this'
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
In China, an underground luxury hotel | SmartPlanet
In China, an underground luxury hotel | SmartPlanet:
Wow. Don't know if we should be happy or sad about this resort project.
Kind of makes you wonder how and why this massive hole in the ground was constructed as a by product of the need for resources?
Good. This should start to make miners think hard about the use of the land when done. The open-pit mines for ore and oil and coal might start to design their end-game for the land as they dig and truck.
So, is this a resort that you wanna go visit? That's the Billion Yuan question?
'via Blog this'
Wow. Don't know if we should be happy or sad about this resort project.
Kind of makes you wonder how and why this massive hole in the ground was constructed as a by product of the need for resources?
Good. This should start to make miners think hard about the use of the land when done. The open-pit mines for ore and oil and coal might start to design their end-game for the land as they dig and truck.
So, is this a resort that you wanna go visit? That's the Billion Yuan question?
'via Blog this'
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Global Carbon “Footprint” by Nation | The Big Picture
Global Carbon “Footprint” by Nation | The Big Picture:
Just in case you had not seen this really cool chart from a year ago...
Here's the BIG FOOT, big picture of emissions by country. Note that China has now outpaced the US based on pretty much any measure of emissions you might want to consider.
They now burn half the worlds coal, adding on a new coal power plant every few days (about 5 last I heard). India is growing emissions with a vengeance as well.
Within 10 years, there will have to be another foot, or something, simply to show the BRIC countries. Well, maybe not the "B"razil in the BRIC countries but Russia, definitely.
'via Blog this'
Just in case you had not seen this really cool chart from a year ago...
Here's the BIG FOOT, big picture of emissions by country. Note that China has now outpaced the US based on pretty much any measure of emissions you might want to consider.
They now burn half the worlds coal, adding on a new coal power plant every few days (about 5 last I heard). India is growing emissions with a vengeance as well.
Within 10 years, there will have to be another foot, or something, simply to show the BRIC countries. Well, maybe not the "B"razil in the BRIC countries but Russia, definitely.
'via Blog this'
Sunday, August 21, 2011
EIA - Press Room - 3.9% increase in CO2 in US for 2010
EIA - Press Room - Press Releases
Ouch. This is an ugly increase of about 4% in energy-related CO2 from the USA in 2010.
We had a 12% reduction during the heat of the recession in 2009, but we're coming back with a vengeance.
And, of course, China is out doing us now and growing by leaps and bounds.
Double ouch!
Count India into that,
Triple ouch!:-(
Friday, June 3, 2011
The ugly truth about our trade deficit with China.:-(
The China Question premiers on CNBC on Friday night, June 3rd at 8pm.
This looks like it is going to be the story that I've been looking for years. The symbiotic relationship that we have with trade-deficit to China.
They subsidize our spending habits (US & EU) with their artificially cheap currency. Then with the $ dollars and Euros from their trade surpluses, they buy stuff. They buy our Treasuries to keep our Federal Debt a float. They have a high savings rate, where we have a fractional private savings rate (deficit for government, of course). They keep their currency artificially low so they can continue to export. Literally they are paying us to buy their products of toys and such. But that relationship cannot, and will not, last forever. The relationship is NOT sustainable.
Both a trade deficit and a federal deficit are automatically “fixed” over time by the devaluation of the currency.
Let’s see what the show has to offer.
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