In addition to the cost of extraction and production, there are a variety of externalities to different types of energy. Environmental impact is one. Deadliness is another. And, of course, externalities are, by definitions, costs that are paid by others than the folks involved in the immediate profit and loss.
Externalities are difficult to gauge sometimes. But to ignore them and simply let society pick up the tab, one way or the other, for them is foolish.
Reshared post from +George Wiman
That Forbes Magazine (motto: "Environmentalists are an obstacle to be maneuvered around") has published this is remarkable. But they're quite right: coal is an environmental disaster with a huge deathprint from every scoop gouged out of the Earth to every mercury atom consumed in tuna sandwiches. And everything in between. Candidates must pander to coal-producing states so I don't know how to get to a post-coal economy. Or post-carbon generally. http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2012/06/10/energys-deathprint-a-price-always-paid/ h/t +Nick F
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How Deadly Is Your Kilowatt? We Rank The Killer Energy Sources – Forbes
Coal is by far the biggest killer. Nuclear is the safest energy source.
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