Obama's Energy Policy: Bankrupt Coal-Fired Power Plants

An audio file in which Obama outlines his energy policy includes a promise to eliminate generation of new electricity using one of America's most abundant resources:

So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it's just that it will bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted.

Approximately 30% of US electricity production is from coal-powered facilities. The US holds approximately 25% of the world's known coal reserves. R&D has produced significant advances toward clean coal power generation. New coal fired electric plants would incorporate the new technologies.

Perhaps Senator Obama was speaking recklessly. Perhaps. To my eye, greater bang for the buck would be achieved by stimulating building of power generation facilities, including coal powered facilities, that are cleaner than existing facilities. New capacity could enable retiring old inefficient and dirty facilities. Categorically ruling out expanding electricity production that leverages one of America's most abundant resources is short sighted.