In a report that we just released yesterday, there’s information on some of the benefits of clean coal technology that you may have never considered. Most notably: jobs.
The federal government’s Clean Coal Technology (CCT) program is a government-industry partnership initiated nearly a quarter-century ago to develop innovative technologies that meet strict environmental standards and allow electric power utilities and other industries to use coal cleanly and efficiently as an energy source.
The program has a wide range of well-documented technological successes and has produced substantial benefits for U.S. taxpayers — benefits that far exceed the federal government’s CCT investments. The benefits include cleaner air, reduced pollution, increased energy efficiency, support for U.S. manufacturing, increased U.S. exports, enhanced national security, and job creation. Further, these benefits are rapidly increasing and will continue to do so as CCT is deployed throughout the electric utilities sector.
But the figures that really stood out at me were these numbers about job creation:
• At present, the program is creating nearly 30,000 jobs.
• By 2015, it will create more than 60,000 jobs.
• By 2020, it will create more than 100,000 jobs.
During a week in which the House of Representatives will vote on a jobs bill, it’s important to remember that we already have successful federal programs in place that not only create vital new jobs, but help us keep electricity rates low in this country at as well.
We encourage you to take a look at the study and to give us your thoughts here on Behind the Plug.
