Opponents of coal got a big buzz the past week by releasing a YouTube video, "Clean Coal Air Freshener," produced by filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen. It’s good as the sparkling family chokes, and the ranch house spews a gray cloud-but not as good as the Coens’ wood chipper scene in "Fargo." I think the older "Clean Coal Technology" video, also from thisisreality.org, is funnier and amps the irony higher.
There’s no end to the evidence that clean coal doesn’t exist and may well be unachievable. There’s also no end to the lobbying power of the coal industry, but at least the sense of humor is all on the "no" side. If you need proof, check out the industry’s kludgy propaganda site. They’re "committed," they "envision" and they have "plans," but nothing on the ground to show for it.