http://progressmichigan.org/page/community/blog_rss/johnengel/html Michigan lacks vision. A prime example is the shortsightedness of citizens in Bay City and Midland as considerations for spending Billions on"Clean Coal Power Plants" are discussed. The only thing clean about coal is leaving it in the ground. But you won't hear that from the coal industry. As I drive around Bay County, I have noticed huge tracks of land under the giant power line towers that run from the Kern plant outward. The hundreds of lesser power line poles that branch out also cover huge tracks of land. Why not employ hundreds, perhaps thousands, and start strategically installing solar-voltaic panels under those power lines and on the lower portions of the towers? And what about smaller, more numerous wind turbines strategically placed along those same lines? The electricity produced would go directly into the lines overhead. And how about this idea. Private land owners could offer land, or rooftops for more solar surface or wind collection. The company installs, maintains and upgrades the equipment and the landowner gets an energy rebate or the electricity directly. Installation, maintenance, upgrades, and even removal would continuously employ hundreds for decades and beyond. Upgrade the present power plants. As alternative sources increase, the plants use of coal would decrease until they are completely off line. Keep the plants as backups for emergency situations. Is that beyond our capability? John Engel Michigan lacks vision. A prime example is the shortsightedness of citizens in Bay City and Midland as considerations for spending billions on"Clean Coal Power Plants" are discussed. The only thing clean about coal is leaving it in the ground. But you won't hear that from the coal industry.<br /> <br /> As I drive around Bay County, I have noticed huge tracks of land under the giant power line towers that run from the Kern plant outward. The hundreds of lesser power line poles that branch out also cover huge tracks of land. Why not employ hundreds, perhaps thousands, and start strategically installing solar-voltaic panels under those power lines and on the lower portions of the towers? And what about smaller, more numerous wind turbines strategically placed along those same lines? The electricity produced would go directly into the lines overhead. <br /> <br /> And how about this idea. Private land owners could offer land, or rooftops for more solar surface or wind collection. The company installs, maintains and upgrades the equipment and the landowner gets an energy rebate or the electricity directly. Installation, maintenance, upgrades, and even removal would continuously employ hundreds for decades and beyond.<br /> <br /> Upgrade the present power plants. As alternative sources increase, the plants use of coal would decrease until they are completely off line. Keep the plants as backups for emergency situations. Is that beyond our capability?<br /> <br /> John Engel http://progressmichigan.org/page/community/post/johnengel/Bhf http://progressmichigan.org/page/community/post/johnengel/Bhf/commentary#comments Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:10:12 EDT http://progressmichigan.org/page/community/post/johnengel/Bhf User from Bay City, MI User from Bay City, MI 1 http://progressmichigan.org/page/community/comment_rss/Bhf/