There is still time to stop the Baard Coal Plant

[irishbobcat]

There is still time to stop the Baard Coal Plant


In its announcement last week, the EPA said, "greenhouse gases in the atmosphere endanger the public health and welfare of current and future generations" and human activities spur global warming'

Carbon dioxide, one of several greenhouse gases that spur global warming, is emitted by natural and industrial sources, including fossil-fueled vehicles, and coal-fired power plants like the proposed Baard Plant in Wellsville.

The Baard Plant is a toxic nightmare waiting to happen. At a time when Americans are struggling to cope with troubling new economic realities, choosing more coal ensures higher energy bills for decades to come. Even now, our rates are going up because of coal. That's because new plants cost billions of dollars to build and even more to run — leaving little or no benefit for businesses and workers in our state.

The plant would release thousands of tons of pollution into our air and water. Whether it is mercury, soot, smog, or toxic substances like arsenic, pollution from coal plants hurts our health. Asthma, heart attacks, stroke, cancer, brain damage and death are all increased by pollution from coal plants.

Coal also dirties our environment. Mines destroy mountain tops to get at seams of coal buried below. Coal wastes create man-made mountains of ash and sludge that destroy habitat and contaminate water. Burning coal is the primary cause of global warming. If unchecked, global warming pollution from coal plants will alter our climate, leading to higher sea levels, stronger hurricanes, and drought.

The good news is that Columbiana County can say "NO" to an energy future that includes coal. Instead of building a new coal plant, we can take advantage of a variety of clean energy alternatives that meet our needs without risking our economy, our health and our environment. Making a commitment to cleaner solutions will create thousands of new jobs, spur new innovative businesses and improve the quality of life of all in the valley. It's not too late — say "NO" to new coal; say "YES" to a better energy future.

Dennis Spisak

Mahoning Valley Green Party

Ohio Green Party

www.ohiogreens.org

www.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/