Articles written by Robert J. Carson

Robert J. Carson, Whitman College|Nov 25, 2010

Representatives Nealy and Haler argue that electricity from coal is necessary and inexpensive. Coal is the worst of fossil fuels and is quite expensive if externalities are added. We in the United States use much more energy per capita than those in northern Europe, with both areas having a high quality of life. When we purchase and use fossil fuels, we are not paying for externalities: air pol­lution, global climate change, rising sea level, poorer health. The world has warmed 1°C (1.8° F) since the Industrial Revolu­tion. Because of the lon...