It's no coincidence that people associate coal with words like dirty, destructive, toxic and bad.
As the catastrophic threats of global warming and war increase, it is vital that we make smart energy choices. Coal-fired power plants provide nearly 50 percent of our electricity and, pound-for-pound, are the planet's dirtiest source of electricity. Burning coal is the nation's top source of air pollution and toxic mercury, and it is responsible for one-third of the country's greenhouse gas emissions - nearly 2 billion tons per year.
Rather than turn to cleaner, safer energy options, the U.S. is in the midst of a coal rush. Currently, more than 150 new coal-fired power plants are in various stages of development around the country, and our government is relaxing laws in order to allow even more coal mining that destroys communities and ecosystems. These new power plants will emit 600 million tons of carbon dioxide annually - which is tantamount to doubling the number of cars on our roads! Coal is the single biggest obstacle to curbing global warming, and the U.S. is poised take a huge leap the wrong direction.
Though the cost of building all these new power plants is exorbitant -- more than $140 billion -- Wall Street banks such as Citi (formerly Citigroup) and Bank of America are providing the financial backing for them that will lock us in to dirty energy for decades.
Find out more about the problems with dirty coal, the myths of "clean coal," and the keys to a clean energy future. Most importantly, take action now to stop new coal development.
