Despite the fact that the world would cease to function without it, the industrial power generation industry has always faced a few hurdles. The latest set-back for industrial power generation has popped up in Chicago, at the Fisk Generating Station.
The Fisk Generating Station is 108 years old, so clearly it's not among the most cutting-edge or cleantech facilities in the world. Area residents have a decent claim to make when they cite high rates of asthma and respiratory issues; Midwest Generation, who owns the Fisk Generating Station, claims they've been cleaning up their act since taking over in 1999.
On the one hand, yes, the residents are right that old facilities need to be kept up to modern environmental stands. But on the other hand, shutting down a plant doesn't guarantee a better environment. Since it takes long years to build new power generation facilities, residents would only face higher energy costs. The ordinance many residents are pushing for would call for a drastic reduction in particulate matter and CO2 emissions--however, again, either the cost of cleaning up the plants would be passed onto residents, or the ownership would pursue a more profitable business elsewhere. It wouldn't necessarily result in any better living situation; in fact, higher prices and less competition may result in residents having to rely on even less savory power suppliers.
The best course of action may be to work on building investment and development interest in building more cleantech, environmentally friendly power generation options while still relying on conventional coal for the moment. Increasing regulation may help the environment in the immediate situation, but it could stifle development and innovation in the future, which would ultimately be a tragedy for everyone.
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