Failure? Depends on what you expected from it. In any case it’s a really stupid idea.
The EIA has reported that natural gas in the US now accounts for an equal portion of power production as coal, both contributing 32% of total generation. This led the US to reduce their carbon emissions by 92 million tonnes in 2011, a 1.7% decrease from the year before.
Unfortunately, despite having the most ambitious carbon reduction regulations in the world, Europe is now heading in the opposite direction as they saw coal consumption increase by 3.3% compared to 2010.
Germany’s coal consumption increased by 1.2% compared to 2010, despite its renewable energy intentions, and large capacity of photovoltaic installations. Spain, who has also been investing heavily in renewable sources such as solar and wind, saw their coal consumption increase by more than 50%. Over all EU coal imports from the US increased by 49%.
Failure? Not for the crims, they have had a ball reaping in the millions.