Energy policy

The United States is exporting coal and along with it air pollution. WASHINGTON/LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. coal exports have jumped more than 60 percent this year due to soaring demand from Europe and Asia. While the carbon dioxide from burning coal is affecting the air worldwide, the heavy metal contaminates like mercury and lead along with the acid rain chemicals like nitrates and sulfates stay in the area where the coal is burned. This means the US is exporting air pollution. The US imports rare earth metals to manufacture high tech stuff like wind mills and solar panels from mines in China where they are contaminating the ground water with various chemicals including some that are radioactive. There was a book written in the 50’s about the arrogance of American diplomats called “ The Ugly American” and the remnants of this idea have returned with our energy policy.