Energy News Network (https://energynews.us/region/west/page/2/)
I know in conservative circles it’s become standard to blame the power shortages squarely on renewable energy, writes Scott Coenen, of the Wisconsin Conservative Energy Forum. However, the real story is far more complicated.
States banning coal — including Hawaii — had mostly already committed to reducing carbon emissions.
As coal plants retire, they leave behind power lines and grid connections that can be a big asset to renewable developers.
Coal’s decline has forced staunchly anti-Obamacare politicians to reconsider Medicaid expansion, while rural communities depend on telehealth more than ever.
The coronavirus pandemic has hammered healthcare systems for rural populations already struggling with the loss of coal jobs and health coverage.
Coal communities in Appalachia and Wyoming are vital revenue engines for huge portions of the rural U.S., and they face devastation with little time to adjust to new realities.