Pan Am Coal Trains

[gokeefe]

The DA asked for the dismissal of all charges and the Judge sent them on their way.

That's actually very surprising. Any further details or information on this?

Routine for non-violent protests. Sometimes they might get a civil violation but that's it.

[BowdoinStation]

The story about the dropped charges for the West Boylston and Ayer radical activist mob for trespassing was in the Lowell Sun newspaper. I hope the Judicial System in the Granite State comes down hard on these out-of-state adult dwellers of their parent's basement..

[eustis22]

Lord knows where we'd be if the COLONISTS had done any protesting.

[QB 52.32]

Next up on the B&A this morning.

[codasd]

Any chance the plant would convert to a gas peaker? Not sure if there is a gas feed with capacity close by.

[R&PEditor]

In our infinite wisdom, the New England polities have successfully rebelled against construction/expansion of several gas pipelines. This is one reason for the emphasis on New England in the Presidential push to authorize LPG-by-rail.

[johnhenry]

Eastbound coal train thru MP7.8 in West Boylston at 9:50pm Monday.

[NYC27]

Any chance the plant would convert to a gas peaker? Not sure if there is a gas feed with capacity close by.

They would probably like to, but the pipeline is across the river. Getting any pipeline built right now meets huge opposition.

[NHV 669]

There was a bit of a hold-up last night:

https://mobile.twitter.com/MiriamWasser ... 54208?s=19

Looks like the train is still undefeated in this bout.

[BowdoinStation]

I heard it went into Hooksett and Bow, unscathed, with zero sightings of any protesters.

[NRGeep]

The protesters could better spend their time protesting emerging energy technologies like wind, sun and ocean tides.
Ole' King Coal has had a great run; yet, despite subsidies and weakened environmental regulations, 2018 was the first year it lagged behind the moribund nuclear industry in US energy market share.

[DogBert]

Coal is over. Enjoy these trains while they last. They probably won't exist next year, and certainly won't exist in the next 3-5 years. This decade has decimated coal fired power plants, and frankly I'm surprised this relic still exists.

Solar and wind will take over soon enough, and rightfully so. The cost of digging up all that coal and transporting it simply can't compete with free energy. There are spots out west where there are wind turbines and solar panels spread over miles, and there are always more on the way. Capitalism has defeated coal. The ecological benefits of not using it are just a nice extra. No amount of complaining on the internet is going to change this reality.

[b&m 1566]

I think we all understand coal is coming to an end, the writing has been on the wall for years now. To be honest, I never expected to see coal trains heading up to Bow again, so it's been a nice surprise.

[R&PEditor]

A full pile seems to last Merrimack station for three years (last deliveries 2016-7). By that time, renewable sources may provide adequate power during peaking events. BUT what if the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing and it's low tide? The fact is, we will need plants that can generate off of stored fuel until batteries are big enough to compensate. If LNG-by-rail is allowed, then perhaps the plant will convert. It is superior to piped gas in that, again, it can be stored.

[GP40MC1118]

Except these groups will protest LNG trains too. The whole "bomb" train debate will
ensue and the Lac Megantic incident will be cited (quite rightly).

D