The Billy Joe Shaver tune is entitled “Old CHUNK of Coal”, it was written in 1981, and it is decidedly NOT bluegrass. Wow, I hope the remainder of your article is more factually based than this doozy.

The so-called capacity “credit” for wind at ERCOT–8.7%–is identical to the capacity credit of a stopped clock on an hourly basis; since it is statistically derived, however (unlike the clock), there is no assurance that even this amount of the nameplate capacity would be available at any key future time.

Those who compare wind and solar, which produce no effective capacity, to the precision, controllable dispatch of conventional generation–and then demand that these feckless energy sources replace the modern power capacity of coal and nuclear–are truly delusional. And electricity consumers, as well as taxpayers, will continue to pay more and receive less, for reduced capacity will mean less secure electricity supply.

The natural gas juggernaut has already begun, with national ads boasting how its low carbon generation can complement, even enhance, the growth of wind and solar. What is unsaid is the cost of such tandem development, both in terms of increased dollars and CO2 emissions.

Why is building nuclear plants so damned expensive?