This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
While the Utah Legislature ponders the idea of lending $53 million in taxpayer money to a project that would ship Utah coal to China, consider what's going on in China:
— Senate panel advances $53M taxpayer investment in California port — Brian Maffly | The Salt Lake Tribune
"Despite concerns that the global demand for coal is in an 'irreversible' slide, a legislative panel on Wednesday advanced Utah's proposed $53 million investment in the coal-export business.
"On a 4-1 vote, the Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee approved the controversial measure to send sales-tax revenue toward building a deep-water export terminal at the former Oakland Army Base in California. The bill surfaced late Monday, prompting critics to accuse lawmakers of hustling the bills through the waning days of the legislative session to minimize public scrutiny.
"But the investment is needed to feed the economic future of rural Utah, which has not been participating in the state's prosperity, said Sen. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, sponsor of SB246. ..."
— The real war on coal is happening in China right now — Brad Plumer — Vox
"The most important global warming story over the past two years has arguably been China's struggle to suppress its once-insatiable appetite for coal.
"Lately, those efforts have begun paying off. Recent data suggests that China's carbon dioxide emissions fell in 2015, driven by a sharp drop in coal use. There's always plenty of uncertainty with China's energy stats, but this shift does look significant....
"As I've written before, a sluggish economy can explain part of this dip — but not all. China is making a long-term transition away from heavy industry. The central government is trying to clamp down on air pollution and setting aggressive targets for clean energy sources like nuclear, hydro, wind, and solar. There's a major push to green the economy and hit peak CO2 emissions by (or before) 2030.
"And yet... with China, nothing's ever that simple. Over the past year, as a recent report from Greenpeace details, some of China's regulatory agencies have also approved permits for 210 brand-new coal plants across the country — which, if built, would make it harder for the country to meet its climate targets. Many of these plants are being urged on by coal-mining provinces that have been hit hard economically of late. ..."
At least we're not silly enough to try to sell it to Oregon.
— Oregon OKs pioneering pro-climate coal bill — Kristana Hansen | The Associated Press
"Salem, Ore. • Oregon lawmakers have given final approval to pioneering legislation that will eliminate coal from the state's energy supply by 2030 and provide half of customers' power with renewable sources by 2040. ..."
Also:
"The Coal Miner `On Everybody's List' as Next Bankruptcy Victim" - Bloomberg Businessweek, Jan. 21, 2016
"Plummeting coal prices have pushed almost half the debt issued by U.S. coal companies into default, and for miners and their investors there's no end in sight.
"Patriot Coal Corp., Walter Energy Inc. and Alpha Natural Resources Inc. have all filed for bankruptcy in the past year. Now that Arch Coal Inc., the second largest coal miner in the U.S., has joined their ranks, investors are wondering if the biggest, Peabody Energy Corp., could be next. ..."