As coal use drops, job losses rise and electricity prices skyrocket, an electoral map of the 16 top coal-mining states does not bode well for an administration whose energy policy consists of algae and exploding electric cars.
Earlier this year, Houston-based GenOn Energy Inc. announced plans to close five of its older coal-fired power plants in Pennsylvania over the next four years, saying that tough new environmental rules make it unprofitable to operate the plants, which generate a total of 3,140 megawatts of electricity.
The plants are in Portland, Shawville, Titus, New Castle and Elrama. Two plants in Ohio and one in New Jersey will also be closed.
Based on current polls, Ohio is once again a battleground state and even Pennsylvania, full of bitter people clinging to their Bibles and guns, may also be in play.
Rising energy prices and lack of jobs will play heavily on the administration’s fortunes in November, both affected by the administration’s war on fossil fuels, particularly coal, being waged via regulations by what has become the fourth branch of government — the Environmental Protection Agency.
Some politicians are so disconnected from the real world they seem to try to get themselves thrown out of office.