The Chesterfield County Citizen

For years, I have favored coal to produce the electricity our country needs. Coal, unlike natural gas and oil, is not considered a commodity item since it is used in only two major industries: power generation and steel production. On the other hand, natural gas and oil heat our homes, run our factories, and affect us in different situations as consumers.

If natural gas, for example, becomes the primary energy source to run our power plants, it will directly affect those using it to heat their homes and cook food. Consumers will have to compete on price with power utilities for natural gas.

In the United States, we have a proven reserve of coal that could provide us with a cheap source of energy for the next 300 years or more. With the current methods of burning coal, the result is a very dependable and clean source of electricity production. Now, though, it seems that even the byproduct of the burning process of coal can help supply our nation’s need for other essential resources.

It has been found that the waste product of burning coal, known as coal ash, has a very high concentration of rare earth elements!  And for those who don’t know, these are elements that America is currently at the mercy of Communist China to provide for us!

Each F-35 aircraft jointly produced by 14 allied nations contains 920 pounds of Chinese-origin rare earth elements.

Just think, America can guarantee itself almost unlimited electricity generation to meet the needs of data centers, manufacturing facilities, heating, and cooling of our homes and offices.  The illumination of our streets, sports facilities, schools, and any other areas where electricity is needed.   And at the same time, we can provide the materials that America will need to maintain its position as the technology center of the world.  This is called a “win-win scenario.

Now is the time to support President Trump and his efforts to develop that beautiful, clean coal initiative he is putting forth for our country.   So, let’s get off the suicidal carousel of the left and make King Coal once again the generator of our energy future.