September 11th, 2009
Medical reform battle may presage energy legislation
There is one single reason those interested in greentech should pay attention to the current political donnybrook over America’s medical industry and its customers: Senator Max Baucus (D-Montana). His key committee in the U.S. Senate will likely shape whatever medical legislation is voted on by the upper house of Congress. And Baucus’s staff is now shaping up their version of what could be the Senate’s energy bill. It’s not likely to reflect everything that was in the Waxman-Markey bill which has passed the House but apparently taste bad to the Senate.
So here’s what we know about Baucus’s Montana: “In 1999, Montana generated 31.5 billion kWh of electricity (utility and nonutility), 44% from hydropower and 54% by coal burning; total installed capacity was 5.8 million kW. In 2002, the state produced 46,000 barrels per day crude oil; proved reserves totaled 260 million barrels in 2001 (10th-largest among the states). Natural gas production in 2002 totaled 84.3 billion cu ft (2.39 billion cu m), with proved reserves in 2001 amounting to 898 billion cu ft (25.4 billion cu m). As of 2001, recoverable coal reserves were estimated at 1.2 billion tons. Production of coal in 2000 totaled 38.3 million tons.”
So Montana produces all of the big three for fossil fuel: oil, coal, natural gas. It’s also a state with crucial metal mining and logging. Plus, being a northern state, Montana has a narrow solar season. All this will clearly play into how Senator Baucus will use his considerable power over America’s energy future.
A newsman since 1969, Harry Fuller has worked for CBS, ABC, CNBC Europe, CNET and was founding news director at TechTV. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
Subscribe to GreenTech Pastures via Email alerts or RSS.
