Megan Wittman, megan.wittman@sierraclub.org
WISCONSIN – Donald Trump signed executive orders to bolster coal production in the United States.
The executive orders will aim to force coal plants to remain open past their scheduled retirement dates by invoking an outdated wartime law that allows the Department of Energy to compel power plants to temporarily remain operational. 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. On average, renewable energy costs 30 percent less than coal for the same energy output.
In response, Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter Director Elizabeth Ward released the following statement:
“Wisconsin has long suffered hazy skies, polluted air, and a mercury-contaminated Lake Michigan because of our coal plants. Coal and gas plant pollution are destroying the health of our communities, and yet here is Donald Trump, once again flexing his power to benefit fossil fuel billionaires, while real American families will be burdened with higher utility bills and suffer higher rates of asthma.
“Choking on coal and gas plant pollution isn’t the American Dream. Utility bills skyrocketing every year isn’t moving Wisconsin forward. Trump is writing a permission slip for greedy utilities to break their retirement promises and keep their coal plants chugging. ”
Sierra Club’s Out of Control: The Deadly Impact of Coal Plant Pollution report found that 300,000 lives are cut short every year because of soot pollution from coal plants. Polluted air is linked to higher asthma rates, respiratory illnesses, heart attacks, and cancer among other adverse health impacts.
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million 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.
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.