"CLEAR FORK, West Virginia (Reuters) - Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are talking more about "clean coal" and less about global warming as they woo voters in West Virginia and Kentucky -- two states that sit at the heart of the nation's coal economy."
http://www.enn.com/energy/article/36158

What were you saying about clean coal and how Hillary doesn't support it?

Though I may disagree with you on your preference for a political candidate, I am right there with you in trying to promote more environmental discussions here at TPM. There are a lot of brilliant and diverse minds here posting, which when combined could surely accomplish something if not just raising awareness. I ride my bicycle to work almost every day, except when it's especially inclimate or when I have to transport cargo. I had no idea that the pricing for solar powered and electric alternatives had dropped so low (relatively) already. It seems like the perfect solution and just might be a snappy answer to the claims of the looming "end of suburbia in America." It's good to be in agreement with you on a subject so important that it transcends this bitter primary season.

I'd love to see more environmental issues discussed here as well. But slumlord needs to "clean up" his own act if he wants anyone to start taking his posts seriously.

Please, Clinton is part of the reason why Gore lost. And it looks as if Bill just used Al for his "green credentials." This article is how they broke campaign promises they made to environmentalists and then broke the promises. http://www.mediamouse.org/features/061607clint.php

One problem to be solved with EVs is limited range and cranky discharge cycles of batteries. After that, you'll probably be using power from coal, clean or otherwise, and nukes to recharge them.

A more immediate problem is that a lot of EV companies are selling green hype right now. The sad story of anyone that invested in Zap, for instance, was recently featured in Wired Magazine.

When the oil gets too expensive, I plan to be riding my bicycle. I just hope the pavement holds up.

edit; famously said

edit: lousy record

Great to include more topics on the environment.

When renewable energy comes up, people think they have to wait for some future breakthrough. That they have to wait for the government to come up with a traditional centralized solution. One that will be distributed the same way oil is.

That's not how it's going to work. Power from the sun distributes itself. So does wind power. And geothermal power? You can tap into that right below your own home.

We'll have a lot more freedom with these carbon free de-centralized energy sources.

There's also a misconception that this will happen some time in the future.

It's happening right now. You can buy a solar-powered electric car tomorrow. There are farms and vineyards all across the country that are already powered by wind turbines. Air conditioning and heat in urban buildings around the world operate on geothermal energy.

It may be hard to believe, but one of the leaders in solar power is Saudi Arabia.

The biggest obstacle to your community's energy independence
is essentially nothing.

The biggest illusion perpetrated on the people by big government is believing we need it to solve all our problems.

One of the more promising technologies that might eventually make an all electric car truly practical is produced by a company called A123 Systems.

A123 has a nanotechnology based lithium battery technology which is being introduced in many new devices. Google the "Chevy Volt" to see an example of what's currently going on. I don't think their technology has progressed far enough to replace a gasoline power plant, but it appears they have made big steps in that direction.

Also, Google the "killacycle", to see a world-record breaking battery powered drag-racing motorcycle motorcycle powered by A123 batteries.

I've sated in other posts that I'm not highly optimistic about fuel-cell based electric vehicles saving us because those require hydrogen (just like the Hindenburg or the Space Shuttle), which is highly problematic to create and to store in a vehicle.