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posted by martyb on Friday July 02 2021, @10:06AM   Printer-friendly

Britain 'consigns coal power to the history books' as ban is brought forward to 2024:

The UK government has brought forward the ban on the use of unabated coal by a year, so that from 1 October 2024, Britain will no longer use coal within its energy system.

Energy and climate change minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan announced the change ahead of a Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) Europe roundtable meeting today. It follows significant progress in moving the UK away from the fossil fuel in recent years, with just 1.8% of the energy mix coming from coal in 2020, as opposed to 40% a decade ago.

The government launched a consultation in February 2020 on the possibility of bringing forward the phase-out date for coal generation forward from 2025. Since then, more coal power plants have continued to shutter with EDF announcing in March that its West Burton A station will close in September 2022. This follows Drax's two remaining coal plants closing in March 2021, and SSE's last coal-fired power station, Fiddler's Ferry, and RWE's Aberthaw B coal-fired power station, both closing in March 2020.

Uniper's Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant is set to be the sole coal-fired power station in the UK from 2022.

Renewable energy capacity has continued to soar, helping push coal off the grid. 2020 was dubbed the 'greenest year' ever by various groups as wind and solar continued to smash records.

[...] "The next decade will be make, or break, for our planet and the most powerful way we can make a difference is to end our reliance on coal."


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  • (Score: 5, Informative) by c0lo on Friday July 02 2021, @10:16AM (20 children)

    by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Friday July 02 2021, @10:16AM (#1152202) Journal

    The next decade will be make, or break, for our planet

    The latest two decades already broke it, we're just starting the mitigation stage now.

    Doesn't matter, Exxon got its money and wants even more now [npr.org]

    --
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
    • (Score: 2, Interesting) by fustakrakich on Friday July 02 2021, @09:07PM

      by fustakrakich (6150) on Friday July 02 2021, @09:07PM (#1152367) Journal

      Exxon got its money and wants even more now...

      Six degrees of Joe Manchin!

      "Joe Manchin, I talk to his office every week," McCoy bragged to the interviewer. He called the Democratic senator from West Virginia a "kingmaker" and discussed how "on the Democrat side we look for the moderates on these issues" in their efforts to stop policies that could hurt the company's business.

      --
      La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
    • (Score: 2) by Freeman on Saturday July 03 2021, @01:49AM (18 children)

      by Freeman (732) on Saturday July 03 2021, @01:49AM (#1152432) Journal

      We are screwed, if that is the case.

      --
      Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
      • (Score: 2) by c0lo on Saturday July 03 2021, @02:14AM (17 children)

        by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Saturday July 03 2021, @02:14AM (#1152439) Journal

        38C soil temperatures above the Northern Circle [nasa.gov], what that methane freed from permafrost is gonna do?

        Hundred of wildfires in Canada [theguardian.com]

        Hundred of deaths from heat in Canada [theguardian.com]

        Maybe we're not squashed yet, but the screw tightens.

        --
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
        • (Score: 1) by khallow on Saturday July 03 2021, @03:53AM (16 children)

          by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Saturday July 03 2021, @03:53AM (#1152478) Journal
          And global population increased by 80 million [macrotrends.net] in 2020. We can angst over minor climate change problems, or we can look at the serious problems in the world today.
          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 03 2021, @01:21PM (2 children)

            by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 03 2021, @01:21PM (#1152544)

            Why worry about that fully laden oil tanker heading for that shoal. It is only moving at 12 kts. It won't reach it for quite a while so we've got plenty of time to think about turning it.

            • (Score: 1) by khallow on Saturday July 03 2021, @11:36PM (1 child)

              by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Saturday July 03 2021, @11:36PM (#1152674) Journal

              Why worry about that fully laden oil tanker heading for that shoal. It is only moving at 12 kts. It won't reach it for quite a while so we've got plenty of time to think about turning it.

              Well, that's how they pilot oil tankers in the first place. There's no direction you can go in that won't eventually founder somewhere. But if you turn now rather than oh, 2000 km from now, you won't get where you want to go.

              My point all along is that people are treating climate change as if it were the only thing in existence, the oil tanker heading for that shoal 2000 km away. But there's plenty that we will be doing with that oil tanker before it gets to those shoals. The key one is elevating almost 8 billion people out of poverty and turning almost the entire world into developed world. That's worth quite a bit of climate change.

              • (Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Sunday July 04 2021, @03:30AM

                by fustakrakich (6150) on Sunday July 04 2021, @03:30AM (#1152717) Journal

                But there's plenty that we will be doing with that oil tanker before it gets to those shoals.

                :-) Yeah, man.. we can sell its cargo two or three time over before it hits.. oops.. did the insurance lapse? Gee, sorry 'bout that

                --
                La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
          • (Score: 2) by Tork on Saturday July 03 2021, @08:34PM (12 children)

            by Tork (3914) Subscriber Badge on Saturday July 03 2021, @08:34PM (#1152645)

            We can angst over minor climate change problems...

            My cousin used a similar rationale while strictly making minimum credit card payments, that was brought up recently when she asked her dad for a huge loan. Heh.

            --
            🏳️‍🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️‍🌈
            • (Score: 1) by khallow on Sunday July 04 2021, @01:23AM (11 children)

              by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Sunday July 04 2021, @01:23AM (#1152696) Journal
              What was the similar rationale? It sounds rather like she had a large problem that she might have been downplaying. Where's the large problem with climate change that is being downplayed?

              Obviously, I think the whole thing has gone the other way, exaggerated considerably rather than downplayed.
              • (Score: 2) by Tork on Monday July 05 2021, @12:28AM (10 children)

                by Tork (3914) Subscriber Badge on Monday July 05 2021, @12:28AM (#1152902)
                ... um.. okay, didn't think I needed to explain this: The problems we're suffering are due to accumulated effects, like credit card debt. Minimum payment today is a much larger expenditure tomorrow. Every year we do nothing is a larger sacrifice we're going to have to make later, which we're starting to see today.

                Obviously, I think the whole thing has gone the other way, exaggerated considerably rather than downplayed.

                mm hm. You've probably got bobbly nodding heads agreeing with you, too, and that's comforting. That's not how reality's playing out, but it does make sleeping easier.

                --
                🏳️‍🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️‍🌈
                • (Score: 1) by khallow on Monday July 05 2021, @09:56PM (9 children)

                  by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Monday July 05 2021, @09:56PM (#1153120) Journal

                  The problems we're suffering are due to accumulated effects, like credit card debt. Minimum payment today is a much larger expenditure tomorrow.

                  Indeed. But that works against you as well. The accumulated effects are not just climate change. That 80 million more people a year is a big effect. Human poverty is a big effect. Global pollution is a big effect. So is the development of humanity and our continued expansion of human knowledge. We have a lot of cards in play and they don't all have the same interest rate.

                  • (Score: 2) by Tork on Monday July 05 2021, @10:57PM (8 children)

                    by Tork (3914) Subscriber Badge on Monday July 05 2021, @10:57PM (#1153137)
                    Yeah, yeah. "Me before thee", I get it. It's easier and more fun.
                    --
                    🏳️‍🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️‍🌈
                    • (Score: 1) by khallow on Tuesday July 06 2021, @03:07AM (7 children)

                      by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 06 2021, @03:07AM (#1153201) Journal

                      "Me before thee", I get it. It's easier and more fun.

                      What's more important? Virtue signaling about minor climate change or the future of the world? Is it "me before thee"?

                      • (Score: 2) by Tork on Tuesday July 06 2021, @05:31AM (6 children)

                        by Tork (3914) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 06 2021, @05:31AM (#1153221)
                        Were you trying to make fun of my point... or illustrate it.
                        --
                        🏳️‍🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️‍🌈
                        • (Score: 1) by khallow on Tuesday July 06 2021, @02:54PM (5 children)

                          by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 06 2021, @02:54PM (#1153336) Journal
                          Yes.
                          • (Score: 2) by Tork on Tuesday July 06 2021, @03:05PM (4 children)

                            by Tork (3914) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 06 2021, @03:05PM (#1153340)
                            Mmm hmm. Well I appreciate you falling on your sword. Kinda poetic in a way.
                            --
                            🏳️‍🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️‍🌈
                            • (Score: 1) by khallow on Tuesday July 06 2021, @03:58PM (3 children)

                              by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 06 2021, @03:58PM (#1153347) Journal
                              You can choose to interpret it how you'd like. But I don't think I'm the selfish one here.
                              • (Score: 2) by Tork on Tuesday July 06 2021, @05:02PM (2 children)

                                by Tork (3914) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 06 2021, @05:02PM (#1153361)
                                Of course not, phrases like "minor climate change" and "but what about other stuff?" work in your favor. Even works after admitting it actually is a big deal! ;)
                                --
                                🏳️‍🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️‍🌈
                                • (Score: 1) by khallow on Wednesday July 07 2021, @03:02AM (1 child)

                                  by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 07 2021, @03:02AM (#1153557) Journal

                                  Of course not, phrases like "minor climate change" and "but what about other stuff?" work in your favor.

                                  Indeed they do. Because it indicates I'm actually thinking about the problems. Unlike other people in this thread.

                                  Even works after admitting it actually is a big deal! ;)

                                  Sounds like you might need some reading comprehension here.

                                  • (Score: 2) by Tork on Wednesday July 07 2021, @05:53AM

                                    by Tork (3914) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 07 2021, @05:53AM (#1153595)

                                    Heh. Yeah, you're totally thinking about the problems. Well... excuses anyway.

                                    --
                                    🏳️‍🌈 Proud Ally 🏳️‍🌈
  • (Score: 1, Troll) by gawdonblue on Friday July 02 2021, @11:30AM

    by gawdonblue (412) on Friday July 02 2021, @11:30AM (#1152208)

    Apparently clear felling masses of American forests is OK for British power stations [youtube.com]. No CO2 problem with it. It's natural.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 02 2021, @02:12PM (4 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 02 2021, @02:12PM (#1152242)

    Now instead of burning it in clean well-regulated power plants it's going to be used in poorly maintained coal-powered automobiles.

    • (Score: 2) by PiMuNu on Friday July 02 2021, @02:31PM (3 children)

      by PiMuNu (3823) on Friday July 02 2021, @02:31PM (#1152249)

      or just leave it in the ground?

      • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Friday July 02 2021, @04:23PM (2 children)

        by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Friday July 02 2021, @04:23PM (#1152284) Journal

        Put it in Trump's Christmas stocking. But only "clean" coal.

        --
        People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 03 2021, @10:40PM (1 child)

          by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 03 2021, @10:40PM (#1152666)

          Trump has not held political office for over half a year. Find a new bogeyman.

          • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday July 06 2021, @01:49PM

            by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 06 2021, @01:49PM (#1153315) Journal

            Trump is still a bogeyman.

            He continues to push baseless lies.

            He encourages and inspires domestic terrorists with his fantasy of being back in power in August the fall.

            He divides the country instead of trying to unite it. Even if you have a conservative political POV, you could work to try together. The other side, whichever side that is, isn't going away any time soon. Gridlock is bad.

            Until Trump stops these things, he is a legitimate thing to complain and comment about.

            --
            People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
  • (Score: 2) by EEMac on Friday July 02 2021, @02:21PM

    by EEMac (6423) on Friday July 02 2021, @02:21PM (#1152245)

    China [oilprice.com] cheers your actions.

  • (Score: 4, Interesting) by tangomargarine on Friday July 02 2021, @03:17PM (1 child)

    by tangomargarine (667) on Friday July 02 2021, @03:17PM (#1152257)

    to abate = to reduce in degree or intensity

    abatement = the act or process of reducing or otherwise abating something; abatement of pollution

    The concept of pollution abatement has been common in environmental regulation for decades, with the OECD defining it as:

    “Pollution abatement refers to technology applied or measure taken to reduce pollution and/or its impacts on the environment. The most commonly used technologies are scrubbers, noise mufflers, filters, incinerators, waste—water treatment facilities and composting of wastes.”

    https://www.e3g.org/news/explained-what-does-unabated-coal-mean/ [e3g.org]

    The UK government has brought forward the ban on the use of unabated coal by a year, so that from 1 October 2024, Britain will no longer use coal within its energy system.

    Why do I suspect that these two clauses are contradictory. Are they banning coal, or unabated coal? If the latter, they'll still be using coal within their energy system. If the former, why bring up abatement in the first place?

    --
    "Is that really true?" "I just spent the last hour telling you to think for yourself! Didn't you hear anything I said?"
  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 02 2021, @04:45PM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 02 2021, @04:45PM (#1152295)

    Poor Newcastle.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 03 2021, @02:23AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 03 2021, @02:23AM (#1152445)

      Don't worry, it has plenty of gin [newcastlegin.co.uk].

  • (Score: 2) by VLM on Saturday July 03 2021, @04:09PM (2 children)

    by VLM (445) Subscriber Badge on Saturday July 03 2021, @04:09PM (#1152597)

    North sea natgas production has fallen to a quarter of "the booming 90s" and shows no sign of improvement; its been removed and burned up. Worldwide production continues to increase so we'll still have fertilizer and plastics because they're shippable, even if some areas no longer have winter heating and electricity.

    Will be interesting to see how this turns out.

    My guess is for scaremongering control they're gonna move away from environmental alarmism and more toward biowarfare like the recent covid thing.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 03 2021, @07:15PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 03 2021, @07:15PM (#1152634)

      errr ... i know it's all natural and i don't know which PR department was cooking with alot of salt, but "natgas" is short for "natural gas" (lol) and i associate it with methane. the "other" natgas is the stuff that evaporates or "transpires" from underground oil oceans and is "LPG" or "liquified petroleum gas"?
      i think the stuff in the north sea is the LPG stuff, not methane (prolly a mix)? no "universal" consensus seems to have been reach in giving those two "consumer names". it's still "gas" at the pump station in usa tho :)

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 03 2021, @08:38PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Saturday July 03 2021, @08:38PM (#1152647)

      My guess is for scaremongering control they're gonna move away from environmental alarmism and more toward biowarfare like the recent covid thing.

      Wait 'til VLM works it out that he's supporting the alarmism-alarmism industry to the extent that he's hand-waving away two separate events that are actually endangering his life. lol

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