From the cradle to the grave, coal is a risky business. Each stage in the life cycle of coal–extraction, transportation and combustion–presents increasing health, environmental,reputational, legislative and financial risks.
New research from Rainforest Action Network exposes some of the dirtiest coal projects in the United States. These case studies lay out the ‘hidden’ costs of the country's coal addiction. From the oldest, most toxic coal-fired power plants in the country, to the new push for coal export terminals along the west coast, these case studies show the current and changing face of coal.
The cases focus on three dominant types of coal projects: aging coal-fired power plants that will either be facing retrofits or be pulled offline in the coming years; mountaintop removal coal mining, which has become so controversial that the practice has been in sharp decline; and coal export terminals, a growing trend across the Pacific Northwest, which are geared to expand coal markets in Asia.
An Argument Against Coal Investment
We do not need coal, a 19th century technology, to power our 21st century world. Coal-fired power plants are the biggest source of man-made CO2 emissions. This makes closing coal plants job Number 1 to save the climate.
Ambre Energy and Peabody Energy are leading the push for west coast export terminals that would open the floodgates for a new coal market in Asia. Advocates for clean energy, the environment, and public health and safety have coalesced to oppose these ports on the beautiful Pacific Northwest coastline.
