Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
ORLANDO, Fla. - Today, Donald Trump is expected to sign executive orders in an attempt to bolster coal production in the United States. According to reporting, the executive orders will aim to force coal plants to remain open past their scheduled retirement dates by invoking an outdated wartime law that allows the Department of Energy to compel power plants to temporarily remain operational. Donald Trump attempted a similar strategy during his first administration, but failed. Nearly 100 coal plants retired or announced retirements during Trump’s first term.
By extending the lifespan of coal-fired power plants that are already scheduled to retire and placing aggressive tariffs on renewable energy, Trump’s policies will raise monthly energy bills for everyday Americans. Here in Florida, families are already facing electricity rate hikes proposed by local utilities Duke Energy Florida, TECO, and JEA. Duke Energy has signaled it may burn more coal under the Trump Administration even as renewable energy costs, on average, 30 percent less than coal for the same energy output.
“Coal is uneconomical, bad for our health, and destructive to our planet,” said Sierra Club Florida Chapter Director Susannah Randolph. “Donald Trump’s senseless commitment to America’s most expensive electricity source will result in higher bills for families across the country, including here in Florida. We are committed, as we were during Trump’s first term, to securing retirements of Florida’s remaining coal plants and transitioning our state to readily available, affordable renewable energy that powers our homes and economies.”
“Coal kills. In the last two decades, nearly half a million Americans have died from exposure to coal pollution. Forcing coal plants to stay online will cost Americans more, get more people sick with respiratory and heart conditions, and lead to more premature deaths. Donald Trump’s plan is as despicable as it is reckless and ill-conceived,” said Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous. “Under the first Trump administration coal capacity retired at a faster rate compared to any other administration, and the Sierra Club fought and successfully helped retire nearly 100 coal plants that were driving up electricity cost and polluting in our communities. Just as we did then, we will not back down from Trump and his dangerous and deadly plans.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.