Montanans, below is a list of pros and cons concerning different types of energy.
In Montana, we NEED COAL. We are a very cold state (which doesn’t always emit a lot of sun which is very difficult for solar panels). We have a large amount of coal right here. We can keep folks working and keep folks warm. (No energy source is without cons but coal in particular makes the most sense for Montanans).
Solar panels and Wind Turbines don’t have a long life span and tend to clog up landfills. Turbines are HUGE structures that can cause harm and death to wildlife and contain mercury as well as other toxins.
Contrary to what many people think and understand, coal is far cleaner than it used to be. And without coal Montanan’s simply wouldn’t stay warm in the winter months. It’s our most significant baseload power energy source.
Additionally, worldwide coal is by far the best choice and source of energy.
Read the following information below and see for yourself!
MONTANANS for AFFORDABLE and RELIABLE ENERGY
WEIGHING SOURCES of ENERGY via PROs and CONs for sustaining human life, quality of life
KEEP in MIND ELECTRICITY is only 20% of ENERGY USE—(SOLAR AND WIND ONLY PROVIDE ELECTRICITY)
BIOFUELS/BIOMASS (wood, dung, ethanol, vegetable and animal fats, etc)
PROs:
- Replenishable
- Transportable over long distances
CONs:
- Inefficient
- Poses environmental hazards in use and disposal
- Requires vast amounts of land and natural resources for production
COAL
PROs:
- Has brought billions of people out of poverty worldwide—#1 for this
- Cheap and plentiful source of baseload power
- Transportable over long distances
- Has been made to burn relatively clean
- Beneficial uses of byproducts
CONs:
- Highest % of carbon and hydrocarbon sources of fuel
- Poses environmental hazards in production, use and disposal
NATURAL GAS
PROs:
- Burns clean
- THE energy source for ramp up and down to respond to peak demand
- Cheap and plentiful
- #1 source of hydrogen power
CONs:
- Gas leaks, explosions possible
- Produces methane during utilization
NUCLEAR
PROs:
- Utilization is clean
- THE MOST energy dense Source of baseload power
CONs:
- Cost to the Rate Payer unknown for the safer Advanced Nuclear Reactors
- Requires large amounts of uranium, thorium, and copper in short supply worldwide
- Nuclear waste disposal
- Targets for terrorist and foreign invasion
OIL
PROs:
- most energy dense source after nuclear
- Transportable over long distances
- THE energy source for the vast majority of transportation and manufacturing worldwide
- plentiful
CONs:
- Poses environmental hazards in production, use and disposal
SOLAR & WIND (nearly identical profiles)
PROs:
Clean utilization
CONs:
Unreliable, often unavailable at peak demand
Environmental hazards for production, utilization (wind), and disposal
Requires Large Amounts of Rare Earth Metals, copper and cobalt
Requires subsidies for production, use, and disposal
Over 50% of wind parts and close to 100% of solar panels made in foreign countries.
Requires vast amounts of land or water for production, utilization and disposal
Not a single self-sufficient solar and/or wind based electrical grid anywhere in the world
