His office today sent out a press release communicating his support, and up to $6 million in state funding, for an "advanced coal" plant in Jamestown. The plant will feature technology that captures carbon emissions from the burning coal before they can be released into the atmosphere. The state needs to determine whether the technology is viable, says the press release.

Environmental groups and the American Lung Association are already asking Paterson to reverse course.

The problem, say a number of environmentalists who have already studied the issue, is that the benefits are limited, if there are benefits at all. The Sierra Club cites economics - the technology is costly, even if existing plants are retrofitted, it says. Since the concept was first introduced, other environmentalists have wondered whether the technology - carbon capture and sequestration it's called - will even work. The Jamestown plant will be an international pioneer.

And then there's the common-sense issue. Even "clean coal" - a misnomer in all senses - requires coal. That means mining. Lots of it. That, in and of itself, creates pollution and destroys land. In some cases mountains are literally destroyed.

"Strip mining and underground coal mining remain the dirtiest and most destructive ways of making energy," author Jeff Biggers wrote in the March 2 Washington Post.

Granted, action needs to be taken to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. And, as Paterson says in his press release, there's no "silver bullet" for addressing environmental issues and future power needs.

"New York should have a comprehensive strategy to address both," Paterson says in his statement.

Other forms of power aren't without their own flaws: cost, reliability, waste generation, pollution, and availability of fuels are all concerns.  Those will have to factor into any long-term strategy. And let's not forget, the state is supposed to be stressing renewable energy development. The state wants 25 percent more renewable energy available to consumers by 2013.

Coal is not renewable energy.