A Depression-era program to bring electricity to rural areas is using taxpayer money to provide billions of dollars in low-interest loans to build coal plants even as Congress seeks ways to limit greenhouse gas emissions.
That government support is a major force behind the rush to coal plants, which spew carbon dioxide that scientists blame for global warming.
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The story reveals the logical disconnect of subsidizing coal plants while trying to constrain runaway global warming. The political forces behind the illogic are explored. No hints on who might be influencing the thinking of the co-ops; corporate pocketbooks would seem to benefit. Little mention of solar, geothermal, wind, or conservation. Little mention of the environmental damage of the coal mining process. A worthy subject and view, but absent some big picture questions.
