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And, as Illinois data show, any rebounds in coal production don’t guarantee that jobs will follow, hand in hand — especially in an industry where automation has, for decades, eroded employment more aggressively than any perceived regulatory “war” on coal. Last year, for instance, coal production in the state was up 10 percent over 2016, according to Phil Gonet, president of the Illinois Coal Association. Employment, though, actually decreased by about 200 workers — to about 3,400 overall — with two mines closing down.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 12:16 pm
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The link is to the State Journal Register.
Comment by Bigtwich Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 12:22 pm
I support all energy sources, permitting opportunities for customizable energy needs. Wind, coal, solar, bio, sweat - whatever moves us.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 12:24 pm
===The link is===
So? It’s a Post-Dispatch story. I link to AP stories in the SJ-R, too.
How about focusing on substance?
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 12:26 pm
I’m sure those hundreds of companies Rauner has lined up won’t be into automation at all.
So, no need for continuing education opportunities at universities and community colleges.
Unless you want to go full Luddite, millions of jobs are going to be lost to automation. We’re going to have to wrap our heads around it.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/26/jobs-future-automation-robots-skills-creative-health
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 12:30 pm
The recent increase in Illinois coal extraction is a dead cat bounce in a fossil fuel increasingly on the strategic decline in the U.S. and globally.
Comment by VerySmallRocks Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 12:37 pm
VanillaMan, did you just All Lives Matter the energy industry?
Anyway, to the post: Republican politicians’ talk about coal mining jobs has long since ceased to be about the jobs. It’s a form of identity politics and virtue signaling for Republicans.
Comment by New Commenter Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 12:41 pm
Yet they hate Hillary. No basis in reality. It sucks for them, but it’s happening regardless.
Comment by Lt Guv Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 12:48 pm
I suspect Don Blankenship (in W. Va) be a test for modern-day coal. He is a job creator, after all.
Comment by Jocko Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 12:51 pm
50% of our states energy from nuclear .40% from old reliable coal. It doesn’t look like we are going to get any more nuclear production. We have to have coal. Solar, wind. All good things. Keep em coming. But you have to have coal. Lots of it. With manpower or automation. Drill baby drill. Dig baby dig. Just keep it coming.
Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 1:01 pm
Does any of these jobs include costs to clean up coals dirty pollution legacy? Look at the coal ash pits full of mercury, arsenic and other bad stuff, also the mercury in our fish which resulted from burning coal. I think we could generate a lot of employment cleaning up from coals effects on our environment.
Comment by independent Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 1:12 pm
What’s fascinating is that the people crying out for coal want to burn something that is generally more expensive and dirtier than natural gas. Why?Also fascinating that neither of them in this thread mentioned natural gas which is the reason for coal’s decline.
Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 1:32 pm
blue dog dem
A few points on your numbers.
First, the 40% is incorrect. Coal provides 33.7% of Illinois’ electricity production.
Second, the coal Illinois is burning is brought in from Wyoming, not mined in Illinois.
Third, with declining demand for electricity, Illinois is exporting electrical energy and shuttering plants because it is not economical to generate when demand is low.
As coal has a higher cost per megawatt-hour and lower thermal efficiency than other fuels, it’s use will continue to decline.
Coal was an important part of Illinois’ past. It has a significant role in Illinois’ present. It’s role will decline in Illinois’ future.
Comment by illini97 Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 2:21 pm
=But you have to have coal. Lots of it. With manpower or automation. Drill baby drill. Dig baby dig. Just keep it coming.=
Yep. Our atmosphere is big and should be able to handle all that carbon pollution from burning fossil fuels. The planet has warmed up before and then cooled down. And if by chance there’s a problem, future generations should be able to deal with it. Just think of all the jobs that will be created adapting and responding to the mess we made.
Comment by Going nuclear Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 2:49 pm
Trump loves Coal (production, not jobs) right Phil? Check that bumper sticker.
Comment by Obamas Puppy Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 3:28 pm
“First, the 40% is incorrect. Coal provides 33.7% of Illinois’ electricity production.”
That is correct and what’s most interesting is how dramatically those numbers are falling. Coal was more than 45% as recently as five years ago. Last year is dropped from 38% to 33% and it’s still falling, as it should. When Dynegy(Vistra) closes plants, which will come soon, that number will drop further still.
But just to be clear to those that are confused, More than 90% of Illinois coal plants burn Western coal (Powder River Basin) and more than 90% of Illinois coal is shipped out of state. So the Illinois coal industry really has very little to do with Illinois coal-fueled power plants.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 4:00 pm
Illini/chicago. I dont care where the coal comes from. I do want to see more coal fired plants converted to nat gas. But until then. Burn baby burn. We can still keep investing in solar and wind. But until we have enough alternatives. Burn baby burn. I would love to see a downstate nuclear plant built. But until that happens. Dig baby dig. I dont care where it comes from. . 3400 illinois coal miners. Great. I wish there were 3400 more snd all the coal goes to China.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 4:37 pm
That was me. Darn new device.
Comment by BlueDogDem Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 4:38 pm
Coal as a fuel source regularly makes up 45-50% of the daily capacity serving the downstate regional independent system operator, MISO. Let’s take out 20% of the coal from the daily fuel mix, all within 6 months. More capacity will be found but at what price?
Vistra shutdown 1000’s of Megawatts in Texas, I believe taking the reserve capacity margin from about 19% to
Comment by Nadia Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 4:45 pm
and energy prices increased by about 40%. Texas business model heads North.
We must be careful rushing to where we want to get.
Comment by Nadia Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 4:48 pm
Thanks for sharing.
Comment by For Pete's Sake Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 4:48 pm
“19% to 9%”
I apologize for the chopped message.
Comment by Nadia Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 4:49 pm
A friend of mine points out that, nationwide, more people work in museums than in coal mines.
Soccerdad responded by saying, “At the Museum of Science and Industry, you can do both…”
Comment by Soccermom Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 5:06 pm
Coal is not a “good thing”. Do you people know nothing about climate change?
Comment by striketoo Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 6:34 pm
Striketoo. Coal is a good thing. Its always been about affordable electric. People have never wanted to invest money to make it clean. It will one day be extinct when there are alternatives that consistently provide all the electric we need at middle class affordable prices. Until that day. Dig baby dig.
Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Apr 30, 18 @ 7:32 pm