Im sure this comes from an unbiased study....

**1inStripes** · January 19th, 2010, 12:05 PM

Report: Appalachian states should look beyond coal - Kingsport Times-News Online

**imported_elp6n** · January 19th, 2010, 12:13 PM

Report by: Downstream Strategies of Morgantown

Downstream Strategies

**NotSoSilentBob** · January 19th, 2010, 12:13 PM

Its authors are Downstream President Evan Hansen and Rory McIlmoil, a former community activist with Coal River Mountain Watch of Whitesville.

That was all I had to read to realize the 'study' had an agenda.

The report contends new jobs and tax revenues could be created by focusing on renewable energy like wind, solar and hydro power.

And all of those would result in a net job loss over coal.

It recommends a variety of laws and low-interest loan programs to support development of renewable energy sources.

IOW, these energy sources aren't economically viable, so they must be foisted upon the public by any means necessary.

**TheBeast** · January 19th, 2010, 12:31 PM

To produce enough power using windmills for the country at current usage you would have to cover the entire southwest with them.

**simple man** · January 19th, 2010, 12:45 PM

Perhaps we should go upstream and pee on the downstream group?

**R13** · January 19th, 2010, 01:45 PM

This area, along with the whole country, should definitely look into wind, solar and every other alternative energy. Not just one, one won't do it, but a combination of several can ease up a lot of usage. Coal won't be her forever, wind and the sun will, there would be a massive amount of jobs with this.

**CoeburnCane** · January 19th, 2010, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by R13

This area, along with the whole country, should definitely look into wind, solar and every other alternative energy. Not just one, one won't do it, but a combination of several can ease up a lot of usage. Coal won't be her forever, wind and the sun will, there would be a massive amount of jobs with this.

The key is that we shouldn't abandon the coal industry and the jobs produced by it in this area in the meantime though. Most groups like this Downstream Strategies are simply carrying the alternative energy flag not b/c they believe in the technology but moreso out of their hatred for the coal industry.

There's a lot more studying and mastering to be done on alternative energies before it becomes as viable as what we're using currently. Only at that crucial point to where it's as good or better than coal/oil can we say "let's switch".