Only in the short run. Long term, the costs of hydro, coal, natural gas and nuclear, or at least the clean up after them if that is even possible, will be astronomical. Not to mention the costs in health issues to date. Wait till one of your nuclear power stations blows up like the one here in Japan, and you will understand the cost.
Ditto. The nonrenewable energy industries have been heavily subsidized in the past and most continue to be. Even if you took away the direct subsidies (tax breaks included), they’d still be indirectly subsidized, at least until such time that they are required to fully mitigate any negative externalities (such as pollution).
swr: Pollution is minor? Stop listening to British Petroleum (the same ones who worked with the CIA to destroy democracy in Iran). Listen to the oceanographers and watch their current films of oil plumes still there, or walk the beaches just after high tide, before they remove endangered species corpses which washed up.
What health issues? Cancer, respiratory problems, even allergies caused by pollution. And the power station did blow – after it was damaged by the tsunami and the inexperienced workers there didn’t put the safety measures into effect. No-one has died yet, but people are terrified of eating the food from the affected area or travelling to the vicinity. And even miles away from it, people are nervous about what the future holds.
PICTO over 11 years ago
I depend upon the Mayan calendar…..
glendakan over 11 years ago
Only in the short run. Long term, the costs of hydro, coal, natural gas and nuclear, or at least the clean up after them if that is even possible, will be astronomical. Not to mention the costs in health issues to date. Wait till one of your nuclear power stations blows up like the one here in Japan, and you will understand the cost.
fishbulb239 over 11 years ago
Ditto. The nonrenewable energy industries have been heavily subsidized in the past and most continue to be. Even if you took away the direct subsidies (tax breaks included), they’d still be indirectly subsidized, at least until such time that they are required to fully mitigate any negative externalities (such as pollution).
hippogriff over 11 years ago
swr: Pollution is minor? Stop listening to British Petroleum (the same ones who worked with the CIA to destroy democracy in Iran). Listen to the oceanographers and watch their current films of oil plumes still there, or walk the beaches just after high tide, before they remove endangered species corpses which washed up.
glendakan over 11 years ago
What health issues? Cancer, respiratory problems, even allergies caused by pollution. And the power station did blow – after it was damaged by the tsunami and the inexperienced workers there didn’t put the safety measures into effect. No-one has died yet, but people are terrified of eating the food from the affected area or travelling to the vicinity. And even miles away from it, people are nervous about what the future holds.