2011 Priority: Coal Free Future for Washington
The TransAlta plant is the state’s largest single source of toxic mercury, air and climate pollution. We can transition off of dirty coal and support sustainable economic development in the affected community.
Coal Free Future for Washington
- Burning Coal Hurts Our Families and Our Future
- Washingtonians Deserve a Better Deal
- Caring for the Community
- Competitive in Today’s Clean Energy Economy
Burning Coal Hurts Our Families and Our Future
The outdated TransAlta plant is Washington’s only coal-fired power plant, and it’s the state’s largest single source of toxic mercury, air and climate pollution. The 40 year-old plant burns coal that fouls our air, pollutes our water and causes long-term health problems – especially for young children. Coal pollution is linked to serious health problems including learning disabilities, cancer, heart and lung disease, and asthma among kids and seniors.
Coal is All Pain and No Gain for Washington – We Deserve a Better Deal
Coal represents all pain and no gain for Washington: the profits from this plant go to Canada, the power goes to California, and the pollution stays here, harming Washingtonians’ health. We don’t need TransAlta’s dirty coal power to keep the lights on – not even today. Washington deserves better. We need to end coal pollution in Washington as soon as possible; our health depends on it.
Caring for the Community – A Fair and Planned Transition
This legislation ensures a responsible, well-planned transition for Lewis County beyond dirty, outdated coal. We can shift away from coal swiftly while providing infrastructure funding to Lewis County that lays the foundation for long-term economic prosperity and good, local jobs. In Washington we know that a strong economy and a healthy environment go hand in hand.
Competitive in Today’s Clean Energy Economy
Washington stands at a crossroads. We can choose a clean, affordable and sustainable energy economy in which all of our children have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink; or we can choose to keep burning coal, damaging human health, and hurting our environment for decades to come. Washington can develop a model for the nation of how investing in the transition to a clean-energy future can create jobs and a healthy economy.
Download a pdf flyer about Coal Free Future for Washington here.
