Alaska Beyond Coal
In Alaska, our coal organizers are working to keep new coal mines from developing and preventing coal-fired electricity generation projects from coming online.
The irony of a coal-based future cannot be overstated: Alaska is witnessing the tangible effects of rapid global warming unlike any other state, and Alaska's heralded wild fisheries are beginning to show mercury contamination from far-off coal plants. The greatest threat posed by coal in Alaska lies in the fact that Alaska possesses roughly half the nation's coal reserves with nearly 80% sitting prominently along shipping routes for growing energy markets in Asia.
The demand for lower-cost electricity has sparked interest in coal by local utilities. In 2006, local citizens and groups successfully fought back an ill-conceived proposal to operate a coal-fired power plant in Seward; however, several major coal-fired power plants currently are in the works for Alaska. These include re-starting the Healy 2 coal plant, as well as building a coal-to-liquids plant in Fairbanks.
The campaign against coal is as close to a silver bullet for climate change as anything. We must stop the mining and burning the dirtiest fossil fuel. With untapped renewable potential, like wind, tidal, geothermal and small hydro, Alaska could easily meet its energy needs and head towards a clean 21st century energy future.
Protect our communities and our families!
Despite its hazardous characteristics, coal ash and other coal combustion wastes are not subject to federal regulation, and state laws governing coal combustion waste disposal are usually weak or non-existent. The Environmental Protection Agency has issued two regulatory options for coal ash and is seeking public comment on both. We need the option (Subtitle C) to recognize that coal ash is substantially more dangerous than household garbage and to regulate it as the toxic substance it is, protecting public health and waterways across the country. Federally enforceable rules are necessary to protect our communities and our families.
What is Coal Ash?
Coal Ash is the byproduct from burning pulverized coal in electric power generating plants. Across the country, coal ash is significantly more toxic than originally thought and has an increased risk of leaking into waterways.
The toxins found in coal ash have been linked to organ disease, cancer, respiratory illness, neurological damage and developmental problems. Living near a coal ash site is significantly more dangerous than smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, according to a risk assessment done by EPA.
What about Alaska?
We do not have strong regulation of coal ash in the Interior, where we've got our 6 coal-fired power plants. We may be looking at high levels of heavy metals, like arsenic, that can leach into our waterways.
Stop the Chuitna Coal Mine
We are working to block a proposed surface coal mine on Alaska's Chuitna River, just 45 miles west of Anchorage. Our focus is to keep two Texas billionaires from mining through our salmon streams for coal that will only be exported to Asia.
Environmental studies and estimates on the Chuitna mine proposal show that it would produce over 12 million tons of coal annually and when burned would emit over 54 billion pounds of carbon dioxide per year.
Studies also show that the mine would inundate approximately 11 miles of tributaries in the Chuitna River system, impact approximately 30 square miles of land within the watershed and severely impact one of the state's best wild salmon fisheries.
Dick Bass's proposed coal mine is especially confounding, others say, considering that Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort has been an active participant in the National Ski Area Associations Sustainable Slopes program, the organization's Environmental Charter established in 2000 that, among other environmental initiatives, set forth policy to reduce operational greenhouse gases and address climate change.
Look Further:
Check out our press release HERE.
Sierra Magazine recently published an extensive article on the Chuitna coal mine, which can be found at http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/200907/coal.aspx
The science reports and executive summaries can be downloaded at: http://www.inletkeeper.org/energy/Chuitna90813.htm
- Report on Chuitna Coal Project Aquatic Studies and Fish and Wildlife Protection Plan
- Chuitna Coal Mine Baseline Monitoring and Restoration Plan Review
- Report on Chuitna Coal Project of PacRim Coal
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