Commentary: ‘Old King Coal’ still reigns in the US

The following speech was recently given at the East Kentucky Leadership Conference, during a panel discussion called “Fate & Future of Coal & Alternative Energy Sources.”

We, as Americans, cannot continue to kick the can down the road. How can we get the facts, with some polls showing most Americans are ignorant to the United States’ budget situation?

Facts are sometimes a stubborn thing. Let’s take a hard look at America’s financial and energy realities of today: debt and
deficiency, instability in the Middle East where much of the oil we import is produced, and Japan’s nuclear plants melting down. Has anyone ever heard of a coal-fired power plant melting down?

I was astounded to discover that America now borrows 42¢ of every dollar that is spent. Are we stupid? Wake up America!

America spends US$400,000 per minute, US$15 million per hour, or US$360 million per day on imported oil. America imports more than 60% of the oil it consumes, and the military is the largest user. To continue to spend this amount on imported foreign oil means the poorhouse is just around the corner. 

The rate of spending on imported oil has wounded America’s economy, by over a trillion dollars a year. America must stop this economic drain. 

Can America free itself from its dependence on imported foreign oil? The answer is yes, and the solution is simple: By using the abundant energy source produced within our borders – coal.

America has coal reserves that will last for 245 years, and coal is by far the most inexpensive source of fuel per BTU. America’s coal deposits contain more energy than the entire world’s oil.

America can’t continue to look beyond coal. Our unavoidable energy demands will have to be met. Coal fuels more electricity in America than all other sources combined. Electricity from coal is essential and affordable. America has over 22% of the world’s coal reserves, and a mere 3% of the world’s natural gas reserves. Using coal mined right here in the United States would save this great country from possible bankruptcy.

Coal is the chief beneficiary of Japan’s nuclear power plant issues. Nuclear radiation causes cancer, brings death and is allowing people to get re-acquainted with America’s best and safest energy friend. Coal.

It is projected that domestic coal production must double by 2020 to meet America’s electricity needs. America’s insatiable lust for petroleum to maintain our quality of life has put America in peril. Our financial house could fall.

Solving America’s national security problem is simple: More coal production. Coal can’t be set aside when one takes into account its availability, lower cost and its status as a domestic energy source.

Coal fuelled America’s Industrial Revolution, which brought Americans a quality of life second-to-none in the world. If we don’t bring factual, common-sense dialogue to the table in regard to energy, we could lose our freedom and our way of life.

If we are borrowing 42¢ of every dollar we spend, China and other foreign countries will own America lock, stock and barrel. 

America must create “red, white and blue BTUs.”

Coal isn’t the villain some people portray it to be. God put this coal within our borders, and American coal miners are ready to produce more and save this great nation while being the beacon to the rest of the world. Pray for our great country, “America the Beautiful,” and “Land of the Free.”

Since the year 2000, the Great Plains Synfuel Plant operated by the Dakota Gasification in Beulah, North Dakota, is a model of how coal is being used to produce energy in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. America needs to take notice.

Dakota Gas is gasifying coal into clean-burning energy for profits and capturing and transporting carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions for a profit also. A solution to carbon modification has been addressed and successfully implemented by Dakota Gas. Clean coal technology does exist! Go to www.dakotagas.com and read about the CO₂ pipeline. With new technologies we can balance America’s ecology with its economy.

America must be sure there is a secure source of fuel for its power plants. Coal has never disrupted our food chain and caused food prices to escalate.

Understand the “coal hard facts.” It’s an easy thing to do. Turn to coal, save America. Our energy supply chain would never be disrupted.

America’s coal miners are the backbone of our great country. They produce the coal that powers the switches that turns the lights on in our homes, factories and businesses. It produces the energy for the printing presses and the steel and machinery that made America the greatest industrial power in the world. America relies on our coal miners in times of war and peace. They are the heart and soul of America. We should all thank God and draw strength and courage from them.

In the words of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, “The men who mine coal and fire furnaces and turn lathes and pick cotton all serve as proudly – and as profitably – for America as the statesmen who draft treaties and the legislators who enact our laws.”

Let’s do something that makes sense. America will be in dire straits if we don’t.

For America’s energy needs to be met, it will take all sources of energy within our borders. Green energy has to be part of the mix, but green energy is a tough sell. Fossil fuels are much cheaper and green projects seem to be falling by the wayside. Ethanol from corn and soy beans has sent food prices soaring.

Today in America, coal is still the main source of producing power. America needs to get over the fantasy of solar and wind. Even electric cars are powered by the electricity generated by coal.

Here’s a breakdown of our electrical power sources: coal, 50%; nuclear, 20%; natural gas, 22%; oil, 1%; wind, 2%; solar, 1% and hydro, 4%.

Some people are not realistic. I observed a group singing, “Save our mountains, save our trees,” while playing wooden guitars.

We will continue to battle vigorously and unapologetically for coal and America’s coal miners. May the winds of change bring support to America’s most-important energy industry.

Pray for these heroes – our American coal miners – who stand ready to save America. A coal miner’s job is one of the most dangerous a person can have in this country. These brave, hardworking men and women go into the dark bowels of America to give us lights and fuel our economic needs. God bless our coal miners and God bless America. Thank God for coal.

– The author is serving his sixth term as Pike County Judge/Executive in Kentucky. A noted historian and researcher, he trademarked Pike County as “America’s Energy Capital^TM.” Pike County is Kentucky’s No. 1 coal producer.