Coal
The Council challenges the notion that expanding coal use is the answer to America's energy future. The continued reliance on this dirty fuel has major implications for America’s environment, public health and ability to address climate change. America is at an energy crossroads –it can continue to over rely on fossil fuels such as coal and oil and pay the resulting high health and security costs, or it can embrace the emerging green economy, which will create domestic jobs, increase energy security and decrease health care costs associated with air pollution by investing in and encouraging the use of energy efficiency and alternative energy such as wind and solar.
Coal has negative impacts on public health. Burning coal is a major source of ozone (smog), fine particulate, acid rain, air toxics and greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. Links have been made between exposure to pollution from coal-burning power plants and serious health impacts such as heart disease, respiratory disease and cancer. Burning coal also contaminates drinking water with mercury and other metals. Hazardous coal combustion waste (CCW) remains largely under regulated, often disposed of in unlined pits or old mines where dangerous chemicals like arsenic can leach into drinking water supplies.
Coal has negative impacts on the environment. Pennsylvania is a coal state. Pennsylvania is responsible for 1% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from coal-fired power plants account for 40% of America's carbon dioxide pollution. Furthermore, the impacts of current and historic mining continue to impact Pennsylvania's landscape today in the form of abandoned mine lands, acid mine drainage, and waste coal piles.
The Council will continue its work to protect everyone’s right to breathe clean air by advocating for tougher regulations for CCW; opposing the use of coal-to-liquids; speaking out in favor of forthcoming EPA rules that would further reduce harmful emissions from burning coal; and opposing mountaintop removal mining and the construction of new coal plants in Pennsylvania in favor of increased energy efficiency measures.
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