Green America: Stop the Coal Rush

Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel around. It pollutes our air and water with mercury, destroys communities in Appalachia through mountaintop removal mining and contributes more carbon dioxide to global warming than any other fuel we use for electricity. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, where Dynegy is planning to build a new coal plant, declared last summer, “There’s not a coal-fired plant in America that’s clean. They’re all dirty.”

A growing number of elected officials are opposing coal, bills to tax carbon dioxide emissions are moving through Congress, and a large majority of Americans now support clean energy. Despite this, electric utilities are trying to take us back to the 19th century by proposing more dirty coal plants. Learn more about the effects of Coal at our Dirty Energy website.

If we hope to curb climate change, our reliance on coal as an energy source must end. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, combined with greater energy efficiency, can meet our energy needs without adding to the effects of climate change, and are ready to be scaled up to meet our needs. Learn more about of Clean Energy, including energy efficiency.

Despite all this evidence, companies like Dominion and Dynegy are still planning on making costly investments in antiquated coal plants.

Dominion, pressured by Green America members over the past three years, has agreed to drop three of its four proposed coal plants. CEO Thomas Farrell is still planning on building one new coal plant in Wise County, VA.

Dynegy (including its subsidiary LS Power) is planning on building six new coal-fired power plans across the country – more than any other electric utility. It’s time to tell Dynegy CEO Bruce Williamson to clean up his act and start investing in green energy and energy efficiency rather than dirty coal plants.

Together with our allies, Green America is working to stop this coal rush. Please join us in sending the message of clean, green power to Dominion CEO Thomas Farrell and Dynegy CEO Bruce Williamson.

Subject: Start Building Green, Stop Building Coal!

Dear Mr. Williamson, CEO Dynegy and
Mr. Farrell, CEO Dominion:

As a resident of CITY, STATE, an electric power consumer and concerned citizen, I strongly urge you to halt your plans to build all new coal power plants. Coal-fired power plants are a significant cause of global warming emissions, mercury pollution, and highly destructive mining. Research demonstrates that the best approach to providing clean, safe, affordable, and secure energy in this country is to invest in conservation, efficiency, and renewable energy sources. Regulation of carbon dioxide emissions through a pollution tax is under serious consideration in Congress right now. Senate Majority Leader Reid recently said "There's not a coal-fired plant in America that's clean. They're all dirty." For the benefit of your shareholders, it is prudent to take the cost of carbon pollution into consideration when determining your investments in new electricity generation. To benefit your customers, shareholders, and the environment, I urge you to stop your plans to build any new coal plants and dramatically increase your investments in wind and solar power-two sources that will provide clean and secure energy and reduce your company's contribution to the global warming crisis.

Yours sincerely,
Your Name
Your City and State

CC: Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Dynegy Chief Counsel Kevin Blodgett, Dominion Director Margaret McKenna, Dominion Investor Relations, Dynegy Investor Relations