Legislative Trip

I got back Tuesday night from a trip to Wyoming where myself and eight other legislators toured the Peabody Coal mines just outside Gillette. This is the company that will service the coal needs for the proposed AEP-SWEPCO power plant in Fulton. It was an interesting trip that provided insight into the process of coal extraction and how it is shipped throughout the country. Wyoming boasts the largest coal reserves in the United States and some of the largest in the world. We had an opportunity to sit with company executives and question them about the problems facing their industry; and also their take on environmental issues regarding coal fired power plants. Obviously they feel that technology has improved the process of burning coal, and believe the ultra super critical coal fired plant is an economical and enviromentally safe way to produce electricity. I asked a question regarding nuclear power and they acknowledged the need for continued growth in that sector of energy production. But they pointed out the time and money to incorporate nuclear plants will not be feasible for the near future and short term demands for electricity. The ultimate question on how to meet the demands of our energy consumption will depend on advances in technology and consumer conservation. Without question, both the consumer and producer are in this together. They just have to realize it. P.S. For full disclosure-- this trip was sponsored by the Arkansas Eletrical Cooperatives.