I am doing my best to keep from using profanity or referencing losing my breakfast in this post. I'm not sure if I am more angered by the audacity of the suggestion of 'clean coal', or physically ill with the expectation that they will pull this off by convincing each other than those who work in the coal mines are incapable of working anywhere else. It's one of the signs of the cultural cancer that Conservatives are struck with. While the FDA is cracking down on outright lies in packaging claims of 'organic' and 'natural', we are allowing politicians to get away with a more damaging illusion of 'clean coal'. When are we going to call out the Emperor? When are we going to grow up and deal with the problems we are capable of solving, if only we had the morality to be honest with ourselves, and a little trust in our own ingenuity.

Why not recycle coal miners into Wind turbines/farms and energy storage industries? There is enough wind energy potential in USA for at least 4 times current electricity utilisation. Solar energy could do many times more.

Reluctance to change is very present and supported by financially interested groups.

The sad story here is really that the transition to sustainable energy has been so badly treated. The biggest failure has been to put all apples in the AGW cart. Expecting a technologically savvy public to buy climate change as the only reason to adopt alternatives - was shortsighted.

Now we have the opportunity to correct the mistake by focusing on energy independence. Same end game, same goals, different path. Energy independence, breaking addiction to crippling payments of foreign oil, new domestic jobs, new industry, products and services. THESE are what people care about. NOT a polar bear whose population has grown a hundred fold. The Climate of Fear is o v e r.

Not sure how many times this has to be said until it's accepted. AGW campaign has failed. The big bucks for one world government from carbon trading will not materialize. So let's move on to implementing green jobs, energy security, clean air, and alternative energy resources. Figure a new progressive tax on fossils if necessary.

The fat cats pushing AGW will still be fat. Poverty and population issues will have to be confronted head on. Charitable giving not charitable taxing is the way to help emerging nations. And maintenance of national sovereignty must be respected as a part of the human social process. People like their countries and flags and jingoism - it builds self-esteem - something galactic sociologists should appreciate.

So, what are we waiting for?

SJC - you are right. So now the question is how to convince the public and the coal industry to mitigate the heavy reliance on this resource.

First, from a business aspect, redirect coal use to liquid and gaseous fuels. This allows the industry revenue while converting old coal burning power plants to cleaner fuels.

Second, a non-hysterical conservation campaign demonstrating to the public the blight on nature that various forms of coal mining cause. AND the cost of habitat loss vs energy use. Target mountain top removal and strip mines.

Third, focus on the need for an international agreement to build new coal to strict clean standards. India and China are the major players here - only informed public pressure will demand emerging nations AND developed nations adhere to an international Coal Use Agreement.

Re- emphasize the use of distributed energy to replace residential grid demand. Work WITH the coal and gas industries to develop cheap, viable CHP Residential Power Units like SOFCs and or mechanical gensets (Stirling, free piston,etc.) Revenue from RPU fuel sales replaces lost direct coal sales.

The political challenge is to convince the coal industry to transition to CTL CTG alternative fuels (including jetfuel.) They must be allowed to recover their investment in mining resources - but as alternatives. Legislate an international agreement to end traditional coal mining over the next 30 years.

It's essentially the same goal as with AGW - but without all the liabilities.