check out the report and the "Ask the Scientist" question. fyi, paul

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Union of Concerned Scientists action@ucsusa.org Date: Tue, Apr 9, 2013 at 9:38 AM Subject: Coal companies don't want you to see this: To: pjgrunt@gmail.com

*Read this issue on the UCS website.http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=rZCgHspScqPPufjdGDp9lw * [image: The Pulse: Facts you need from experts you trust]

Dear Paul,

http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=Ad5DalomdqPfV5Qr38dw2A Coal-fired power plants pollute our air and water and are one of our nation's largest sources of global warming emissions. But times are changing. People like you and me have been working to advance cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions—and it's starting to pay off. Our new report, *Ramping Up Renewables http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=LDXoUktQ4dX4zK1Xfrm4iQ*, shows that renewable energy is *already* providing reliable power to consumers and that we can dramatically expand our renewable energy use. *Unfortunately, the fossil-fuel industry doesn't want the rest of the country to catch on.*They're working day in and day out to roll back policies that support our transition to a cleaner, renewable future. It's up to us to fight back, so read on! —*Karla*

Science in Action [image: Billowing Smokestack]

*Take action for more renewable energy in West Virginia* In 2012, new wind power capacity outpaced coal and natural gas for the first time, a success made possible in part by 29 states and the District of Columbia, which require power companies to generate a certain amount of electricity from renewable sources like the wind and sun. These states are demonstrating that we can transition away from dirty, coal-burning power plants toward cleaner sources of electricity while maintaining a reliable and affordable electricity system. This progress threatens the fossil-fuel industry, and they're fighting back—opposing efforts to pass renewable electricity standards in states across the country. *Don't let the fossil-fuel industry stop clean energy progress! Contact your elected officials now to let them know you support a renewable electricity standard in your community!*http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=AtCaQiaOGPIZmkX4sagPrg [image: Click Here to Take Action]http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=uELl9yU7Ls7PmGwauNo_DA *Share:* [image: Share on Facebook]http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=oDnkYrJzCIJU9tAiEomfmg [image: Share on Twitter]http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=27wytFY38s3xL7mnFi8DWw

Cartoon of the Month

Links for Paul [image: Cartoon: Solar Power]http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=j8NT8msZWlDGFpqjmhIFvw *Click to view larger image.*http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=YOT8bPx9M0o_lQGRjLPT_A

*Share:* [image: Share on Facebook]http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=0v4HB6VDjil40qasC3ECWQ [image: Share on Twitter]http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=mebnlvTwNYW0CMqjdXFewQ

You know renewable energy is good, but how good? Dive into the details!http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=o7kVutqOmX3lUjkdGEIoCA

What does energy use have to do with our water supply? Find out!http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=sI-V4KHUc5pIejdl9E3HBw

Stay on top of important clean energy updates. Follow our *Ramping Up Renewables* blog series.http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=Ua28lieo9Q1150Gyf-0q5A

INFOGRAPHIC: What *science* says about climate change and extreme weather.http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=jR6SeAvDDFjnyp8pChzvxQ

Ask the Scientist

[image: David Wright]http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=XsD-mRXdd66-JqQa53zv_A

Laura Wisland Senior Energy Analyst, Climate and Energy Program

*Follow Laura's blog >>* http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=kOmgh3dR6g-nkhLocEnjmg

*A friend of mine claims that if all direct and indirect government subsidies were eliminated, the cheapest electricity source would be coal and that renewables of any kind would be most expensive. Can you clarify how the cost of renewables actually stacks up against other sources? —George E. Milkowski, Chicago, IL*

The most important thing to emphasize in answering your question is the fact that renewable sources of electricity are providing clean, safe electricity at competitive prices *right now* across the country. That's a big reason why electricity suppliers are making record-level investments in resources like wind and solar. In fact, the latest data indicate the U.S. wind industry installed more electric generation capacity in 2012 than any other energy source, beating even natural gas. And, thanks in part to government incentives and a maturing industry, renewable sources are getting substantially cheaper. But let's try to unpack some of your friend's claims and assumptions to gain a fuller understanding of how the cost of renewables compares to other sources of electricity. *MORE*http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=mM5hZaqbci0VuG_pP9J06g

*Share:* [image: Share on Facebook]http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=n6v8saQT42I-rItnuX_nTg [image: Share on Twitter]http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=7PuEoI9UMK96LY4S5M1lFg

Do you have a question for UCS scientists? *Submit your question today.*http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=yNOiW375VDRad2pL2bCttw

This Just In [image: Clean Energy Works]http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=tVQed4BMVfjnE1YNqibU1A

*Don't believe the critics. Renewable energy works!* When it comes to America's energy future, there's a lot of crosstalk and deception, and the fossil-fuel industry and its allies just want us to keep swallowing their misinformation. Citing inaccurate data, they falsely claim that renewable energy provides few benefits to the environment and assert it must cost more. *That's where science steps in.* To fight their distortion, UCS has released a new report, *Ramping Up Renewableshttp://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=4S6fuDpNEkyl5jlm-4eqgQ *, which shows how renewable energy solutions are already delivering reliable power to homes and businesses in the United States. The report also describes how the United States can transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future if we take the right steps. Read this exciting new report and share it with your family and friends. *MORE*http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=ENrRA_NOfl4T1DtJ2w9RBg

* Share:* [image: Share on Facebook]http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=nMN4sNr47jv6a6-NQbtgMA [image: Share on Twitter]http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=6VxfeWwPAvPsBeb-kjGVPA [image: Got Science]http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=ownY3QWe7WJcEtLveO1qkg

*For more than a year, officials in South Carolina tried to suppress a science-based report about the impacts of climate change in the state. Here's how science and sunlight finally won the day...* * *

*MORE* http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=Z6vAaEHLKZIX1FcMuz186g [image: Buzz from the UCS Blog: The Equation]http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=ESQOEWJbwiMLyoRX9VZ-pQ

*Doug Gurian-Sherman:* *Biotech Rider* a Threat to Farmers and the Environment http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=va3bnAehwCVNbNKvf1CRZg

*Francesca Grifo:* Who Keeps an Eye on *EPA* Science?http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=aWhmv4abfJDcdEaUtDypRw

*Jeremy Martin:* The Future of *Biofuels* in 10 Charts and Mapshttp://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=MR7cC1NWJxjqtAT10JOo2g

*Michael Halpern:* Four Hours after UCS Report Release, *United States Geological Survey* Takes a Step Forwardhttp://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=kJxJnb1VMjdmeR_Wof17eg

*MORE* http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=aUTPvgrPZRUT6n-dwe12Bg [image: UCS on Twitter]http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=PWM0U3bj6BXjCS2SQkgVBw

Absurd: #Ohio Senator compares renewable #energy policy he voted for to "Joseph Stalin's 5-year plan" http://ow.ly/jzPfA http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=oaCKNe3ZnIYV6HkRaORz9A

The 2012 figures on US #solar installations have just come in, and things are looking, well, sunny.ow.ly/jiry3http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=YB9zTo7k7ASSu5jTlLJ-jQ

"Detroit Voices" by @FairFoodNetwork--inspiring look at how city is coming together to expand access to healthy food! http://ow.ly/juYZbhttp://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=upGcBTKyCnBxKEteX3k5Jg

#science groups too! http://bit.ly/14tdSGG MT @cleanairfrank: Health & enviro grps praise EPA #driveclean proposal: http://bit.ly/11WNyAGhttp://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=ilARWLUB8Xcs0JTKl8qncg

*MORE* http://action.ucsusa.org/site/R?i=zA_s0MfL2E0z7HHmOtYjoQ DEFEND SCIENCE!

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