In the news
today was an item about heritage steam railways now facing serious shortages in
coal supplies and the prospect of a sharp increase in prices. Also, they are having to burn whatever they
can get and not the preferred forms.
The recent
fire at Daw in Warwickshire and the failure of Scottish Coal have led to the
immediate situation although the risks of such shortage were increasing. But around the world and in relation to
energy policy, coal is still a major fuel.
Energy
policy is complex, difficult to assess and has many unpopular features among
environmental interests who are very often opposed to the suppliers and those
who process the fuels.
This makes
for difficult politics and this makes for delay or the inability to come to
decisions soon enough for the development of and expansion of energy
supplies. Given the habit of governments
throwing money at problems this area has seen too many corporations being given
easy money for doubtful projects.
An article
in the Oil Drum has a pessimistic view on what is going on.
If the
clock is ticking and present trends of demands and requirements are anywhere
near correct then it could become serious.
The one certainty is that to put in place the investment and the
construction for new supplies takes a long time and in many places has not even
made it off the planning boards.
What is
more is that between all the various real costs and the political needs not
only may the process be too long delayed but in many cases may not even start
because those involved cannot afford it.
With prices
due to increase sharply as well as a consequence of the shortages and these
increase it increases the disincentive for new investment by risk takers.
So when
will Thomas The Tank Engine and The Flying Scotsman become horse drawn?
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