US coal company sees production rebound next year

Leer anticipated intense debate over carbon capture and climate change, but with Obama's priority the economy, doubted there would be any change this year.

"The reality is that 50 percent of the nation's electricity is generated by coal," he said. Renewable energy sources were needed, too, "but the priority has to be rebuilding the grid system.

"That's a long-term deal, over the next four or eight, or 15 years, coal will continue to do the heavy lifting in generating electricity."

JIM PEDEN/RICHARD COURTNEY emails

[Courtney] The only argument for AGW is the so-called 'precautionary principle' (PP). But if PP is a reason why protection against AGW should disrupt the economies of the entire world then it is equally valid to say that PP is a reason to provide everybody with tin hats in case the Moon falls to bits and starts falling from the sky.