Trump's promises to coal miners not panning out

lizkat

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Bloomberg piece (which does openly disclose Mike Bloomberg's anti-coal interests) notes that coal consumption has plummeted domestically and exports have not materialized to make up the staggering difference due to the shuttering of over 60 coal-fired power plants in the past few years and plans for closure of 72 more in 2020 alone.


U.S. coal production has been declining steadily since it peaked in 2008. While there was a slight uptick in 2017, Trump’s first year in office, it’s expected to be about 502 million tons this year, down 31% from 2016. Exports, which have helped support U.S. miners, are also shrinking amid increasing competition from liquefied national gas in Asia and waning demand in Europe. U.S. producers will export about 60 million tons this year, down 48% from 2018.

Covid-19, which has sapped U.S. power demand, has only hurt the industry further, and the export market, once seen as a savior for the industry, has evaporated as well, said Mark Levin an analyst with the research firm, The Benchmark Co.

Since Trump’s inauguration, 65 coal-fired power plants have been retired, and 72 more plants have announced plans to do so, according to the Sierra Club. “It’s fair to say that Trump has had no success whatsoever in reviving the coal industry,” said Mary Anne Hitt, the environmental group’s national director of campaigns. “Renewable energy is cheaper than coal in most parts of the country and the American people are demanding clean energy in a public health crisis and a climate crisis.”
 

Eric

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It obviously started its slide into obscurity a while back, not because of any politicians or policy, but because we're evolving on energy. Republicans can try to fight progress all they want but at best they can just slow it down. In addition, the fall of this industry is a direct result of the free market, I remember when that was a Conservative staple once upon a time.
 

Chew Toy McCoy

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It obviously started its slide into obscurity a while back, not because of any politicians or policy, but because we're evolving on energy. Republicans can try to fight progress all they want but at best they can just slow it down. In addition, the fall of this industry is a direct result of the free market, I remember when that was a Conservative staple once upon a time.

Also it seems some conservatives don't have a problem with welfare (individual or corporate subsidies) when it comes to entire towns that exist off a dead or dying industry. Those people don't need to get off their ass and move or take some personal responsibility. Maybe someday hating liberals will become a currency they can pay bills with.
 

Thomas Veil

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Anybody who fell for Trump's assurances that he was going to bring coal back deserves what they get. You choose to hold onto a boat anchor, don't be surprised when no one offers to rescue you.

Just like we shouldn't be surprised when the dumb bastards vote for Trump again this fall.
 

Eric

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Anybody who fell for Trump's assurances that he was going to bring coal back deserves what they get. You choose to hold onto a boat anchor, don't be surprised when no one offers to rescue you.

Just like we shouldn't be surprised when the dumb bastards vote for Trump again this fall.
I think it was just a talking point to score with the nutbags, there was nothing he could really do.
 

Thomas Veil

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Oh of course not. Around here the running joke is that the GOP is still promising its base to revive the VHS industry.

I'm sure there would be people to enthusiastically endorse that idea.
 
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