CCS is another pipe dream. The technology has never been show to work, and the big FutureGen project, aimed at extracting hydrogen from coal, was shut down due to technology problems. The entire concept is very weak, because capturing carbon takes energy – and there is no place to store it after capture. It’s just more PR aimed at maintaining business-as-usual.

The third part of this stalling effort involves trying to keep renewable energy and efficiency programs offline. Dingell repeatedly has fought against clean air and fuel efficiency standards. Over his political career, he has taken too much money coal-fired utility companies and the automotive industry, and he always serves their interests.

It’s high time that the Democratic coal lobby were removed from their postions at the head of energy committees. Obama is from a coal state, and will be unlikely to support this, but it should be done – Waxman should replace Dingell.