In response to growing concerns about global warming, increasing demand for cleaner energy, and strengthening opposition to individual new coal plants the coal industry has launched a massive $30 million advertising and public relations campaign under the name of Americans for Balanced Energy Choices (ABEC).
Using both covert and open front groups, like America's Power and Clean Coal USA, the coal industry and ABEC are running TV, radio and print advertisements across the country, making concentrated efforts to "green" their dirty industry.
Truth: Air pollution from coal-fired power plants has decreased. However we have federal and state clean air rules to thank for that, not the coal companies. (Note the tiny "With new EPA regulations" subtitle) The coal industry is actively fighting to avoid cleaning up their old plants — the worst contributors to global warming, smog and respiratory problems-- in states across the country. Coal is still far from a clean energy source.
A recent study found that soot particles from coal-fired power plants could harm children's lungs as much as actively smoking. And while soot and smog pollution has decreased thanks to government regulations, global warming pollution has not. Today's coal-fired power plants emit just as much carbon dioxide as old plants.
Truth: Despite industry claims of advanced clean coal technology, the fact is that an overwhelming majority of the new plants the industry is in such a rush to build will use the same kind of old technology that creates the global warming problem we're trying to solve now. One day we may be able to capture and store carbon emissions from coal plants, but even the CEO of Duke energy believes "you have to think about carbon capture as decade and a half off."
But we don't have to wait for clean energy. We have the technology and the know-how today to meet our energy needs with increased efficiency and renewable energy, like wind and solar power.
Truth: Coal does currently provide almost half our electricity. But it doesn't and shouldn't have to stay that way. In fact, continuing to depend on coal will be a costly mistake. Not only have the costs of building new coal plants risen dramatically, there are innumerable costs to society associated with asthma attacks, devastating mountaintop removal mining practices and global warming. Recent studies by independent economists have found that there are cleaner, cheaper ways to meet the growing demand for energy and increase energy security—all while creating jobs and helping to fight global warming.
