There are more alternative, “renewable”, “green”, etc. technologies available to possibly list them all here.  They involve sources as diverse as wind, solar, tide, fuel cell, biogas, bio-fuels, tide, gravity, to name a few. However, they are all only as good as the corresponding net decrease in replaced fossil fuel use.

It is also obvious that unless one is personally in the upper third of the income level, few, if any are affordable for personal use. This means that all are good in their respective areas, but unless we can relieve the demand for coal, natural gas, or oil, “fossil fuels” on a large scale basis, we cannot accomplish any real solution to global warming or environmental cleanliness.

The point is this: Unless industries, especially utilities, are part of the solution, there is none.

These corporations are currently and historically neither altruistic nor farsighted enough to adapt unless forced to do so; either by regulatory, financial, and or public pressure. It appears that Big Coal/Oil has purchased the support of the political system; in fact, is the political machine!  As long as taxpayer’s dollars are available to these political/industrial complexes, no meaningful progress can be achieved.

With the above being said, the solution is obvious! We must persuade the proponents of coal use to stop.  How?  Firstly by getting involved with some or all of the organizations listed on our “Assisting Organizations” page.  These people have been educating themselves and others for years…it would be a shame not to take advantage of their knowledge.  We will gladly assist you in an individual or group startup, such as ourselves - C4 Association.

Secondly, none of the opponents of environmental cleansing can operate without political cooperation and or money.  Write your elected representatives - often! “A squeaky wheel gets oiled!” Politicians need votes to get into or stay in office…they will follow their constituents’ wishes.  This is one of the few cases where general public apathy can work as a solution! Since the majority won’t get involved, the loud minority gets more attention, and can determine the outcome of elections!  And, politicians are well aware of this…they will listen.

Write and boycott the large financial institutions that provide the funds that you have to repay. Outdated federal offices, such as the Rural Utilities Services, should be closed…let your representatives know!  Why should you have to pay the salaries of a giant governmental organization whose only task is to aid more coal plants being built?  You are paying for your own destruction!

Eventually, and we are seeing it happen now, these industrial corporations will see the “Handwriting on the wall”, and join in the search for solutions.

If AECI precedes with a new coal plant its members are going to see electricity prices soar.  Or, is there something that AECI knows that Warren Buffet and Michael Morris do not? AECI has been a leader on developing wind power in MO. The costs are known; it is cheaper than coal, and wind is pollution free. AECI should build on its wind investments and join with other utilities, ditch coal, and help its members save energy, reduce costs, and lead MO in clean renewable power.

Meanwhile, beginning with ourselves, practicing efficiency and conservation does work. Granted, a utility such as AECI may take more persuasion than others, yet even they will curtail their expanding use of coal if the need is removed; the financing is not available; and the permits are not freely given to them.

“2007 will probably be seen as the year our nation turned big industry toward sustainability. That should cause real pride. Nonetheless, those of us who take this seriously have learned to look West rather than East for leadership in reducing our emissions and our reckless reliance on Middle Eastern oil. Washington, please take note.” Anne B. Butterfield, December 30, 2007

The following alternatives are a sampling of some new and interesting concepts that may be used as “stand alone”, or combined technologies:
 

The above regular flooding results in highways #10 and DD being feet underwater for weeks between Hardin and Norborne.  Even if AECI raised their site above flood level, the plant would be isolated from employees.  Will AECI take responsibilite for any resulting toxins release?

Alternative Technologies

Transportation

Up to this point we have concentrated primarily on the utilities industry, specific coal fueled, as the primary cause of air pollution and global warming. We must look elsewhere for the second culprit...ourselves!

Transportation is the largest single source of air pollution in the United States. It causes nearly two-thirds of the carbon monoxide, a third of the nitrogen oxides, and a quarter of the hydrocarbons in our atmosphere. With the number of vehicles on the road and the number of vehicle miles traveled escalating rapidly, we are on the fast lane to smoggy skies and dirty air.

The top edge of the blue area on this graph indicates the total gasoline demand for our cars and light trucks under a business-as-usual scenario—with population continuing to grow, people driving more miles, and fuel economy staying the same. Without improvements in fuel economy or reduction in miles traveled, our gasoline demand would nearly double from less than 150 billion gallons to nearly 300 billion gallons by 2050. But, if we increase to 40 mpg in 10 years, continue with some modest fuel economy improvements beyond that date, and also add in some policies to help reduce miles traveled, we can save all of the oil in the blue area. Our projected demand would drop to the line between the blue and the green, i.e., it would level off at a lower level than where we are today.(Hybridcenter.org)

On December 13, 2007, the Senate passed the so-called “milestone” Energy Bill. We call it another sick joke on the American people!  Amongst numerous subsidies to about everyone, it calls for a fuel economy measure of improving auto efficiency to 35 mpg by 2020.  We have superior technology now!  All this bill does is allow American auto manufacturers to sit on their hands until 2019 to implement just enough fuel savings to meet the statutes.

This is quite evident. Just hours after signing the most significant national step toward addressing energy use from autos in 30 years, the Bush administration turns right around and uses it to try and take a step backward on global warming pollution from autos.

Using the new fuel economy standards as a rationalization, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson rejected the waiver request for California and other states to adopt the clean car standards program.

One of the most publicized efficient auto improvements available for the past few years is the “Hybrid” engine. Basically, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) combines an internal combustion engine and an electric motor powered by batteries, merging the best features of today's combustion engine cars and electric vehicles. The combination allows the electric motor and batteries to help the conventional engine operate more efficiently, cutting down on fuel use. Meanwhile, the gasoline-fueled combustion engine overcomes the limited driving range of an electric vehicle. In the end, this hybridization gives you the ability to drive 500 miles or more using less fuel and never having to plug in for recharging. Gasoline-fueled HEVs are among a select few vehicle technologies that can provide dramatically increased fuel economy and extremely low levels of smog-forming and cancer causing emissions, while delivering the safety and performance the public has come to expect. But that all depends on how well automakers apply the technology.

Yet, despite their future promise, at best today’s hybrids average only about 50 mpg.

Ironically, German technology surpasses this mileage with no hybridization!  The Volkswagen “Polo” achieves 70 mpg using a diesel engine alone! Imagine the mileage achievable if this engine was combined with an electric system? Using bio-diesel as fuel, this alone would put a large dent in petroleum dependance.  Naturally, this technology is not available in the U.S.

(Under Construction)