Tough EPA rules for US Power Plants

[Ohio Bob]

A huge price to pay for unproven benefits.
It is not just a one time cost - these "non-legislative" executive orders/regulations will increase operating costs as well... something everyone will see on every bill.

[ed]

A small price to pay so everyone can have clean air.

[hayhugh2]

They can still burn coal, just have to filter/clean up their emissions. Expensive sure, but just a one time deduction.

[Denny]

Ah, Ohio Bob you must be reading my mind as those were the exact same words that I would going to put down as well. Yes sir you are absolutely correct in that prices for our energy will no doubt skyrocket! It will be here in the U.S.A. just like what the Canadians and their Government people and the EPA did to their coal fired plants just a few short years ago. What then became of shipping at least in Canada? Well, yeah they still ship some coal but nothing like they used to. Most of the Canadian coal carriers such as Algolake are now carrying more iron ore, salt and grain and hardly any coal like they used to do. Yeah sure the 1,000 footers here in the U.S. can carry iron ore to substitute for the coal. The point is, what happens when the economy starts to tank again someday and it will trust me on that one. Can you say bye to some of the footers and hello razor blades? At least in Canada they can carry other cargoes, the footers all they can carry some of them at least are coal and ore. Just my thoughts!

[Ohio Bob]

"Under my Cap and Trade plan, your energy costs will necessarily skyrocket." That about says it all. Just ask what product or what service does Not use energy. Then imagine what the cost of everything going up will do to the economy. Shipping will be effected as with reduced demand there is a reduced need for raw material such as iron ore, limestone, etc.

[Denny]

Thanks to both Guests for updating us all with the story and the correct information. Yes, you are right as it will be in the year of 2030 that all of this is supposed to be done by. I also agree with you Guest as far as "Try to be more optimistic on the future of Great Lakes Shipping!" Well I will do my best but, it will not be easy seeing some of our favorites go to scrap and now the new builds for Canada coming in here from China. Let's face it as I hate to say this, the future of shipping within the next 10, 20 or 30 years is going to change drastically. I was not born or here during the grand 'ole days of shipping in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s as I started watching them fulltime in the 1990s. Unfortunately I also was not old enough to witness the sad sight of the 1980s to where many of our classics were sent to the scrapyard. If you look now, only the Algoma Montrealais is the only steamer left on the Canadian side and even her days are numbered. The U.S. still has a few steamers left out there but, even those are shrinking in numbers. It will be interesting to see how this all unfolds someday.

[Guest]

From what I understand it's supposed to go into effect in 2030. Many states that have a high mix of generation using coal will undoubtedly take this matter to court. So, a lot can happen in the meantime. Please, try to be more optimistic when it comes to the future of Great Lakes shipping.

[Guest]

Unfortunately perception becomes reality and the general perception is that coal is dirty, therefore we need to stop using it. Nobody in government wants to seriously talk about clean coal technology because coal is a dirty word and doesn't get votes. We're blessed with massive reserves of relatively cheap, easy to extract low sulphur coal (ie Powder River Basin) and well developed transportation systems to move it. The strategy to convert to natural gas to generate electrical power will eventually backfire. We should focus on clean coal technology for electrical power and save the natural gas for transportation needs which it is well suited for. What does that mean for GL shipping ? With our shrinking NA steel industry and greatly reduced use of coal the industry 50 years from now will be a shadow of what it is today. I hope I'm wrong.

[Denny]

Today the Obama administration was supposed to have released newer and tougher guidelines and rules aimed at Power Plants in the U.S. and if memory is correct, I think it is around the year or so 2030 that he wants major changes made to the output that the plants do. This subject may have been talked about before on earlier threads and the issue itself about the EPA and the tougher pollution stuff may have been mentioned years ago in the past. Just wondering what anyone's comments are relating to this issue and what impact it would mean for the future in regards to Great Lakes Shipping? The point I am trying to make is, the 1,000 footers that carry coal will no doubt be carrying more ore instead. If we run into anymore bad economies, what will happen with some of the 1,000 foot lakers? Sorry for so many questions but, just wonder what anyone's thoughts are on this subject?