The League of Women Voters believes that there must be immediate and aggressive action to halt climate change.  Coal is the single largest source of global warming pollution in the U.S., with power plants responsible for 33 percent of carbon dioxide emissions.   That is why the League is taking a nationwide stand against new construction of coal-fired electric power plants.

Burning more coal is too big a risk for too many people.  Because of this pollution, we already face increasingly severe heat waves and droughts, intensifying hurricanes and floods, disappearing glaciers and more wildfires.  If left unchecked, the effects will be catastrophic for our country and our planet.

Today, there is no environmentally sound use of coal.  Many hope that carbon dioxide can be captured and stored underground but this technology has never been demonstrated on a commercial scale.

Instead of coal, we must look to clean energy alternatives.  Many states are making great strides in energy conservation and efficiency, and California has been able to keep per capita energy consumption essentially constant for three decades while enjoying a growing economy.  Wind and solar power are also ready to make large contributions to economic growth.

The League carefully examined many facets of energy policy before taking its stand.  Now it is time to stop building more coal-fired power plants.  We support strong action in Congress to stop global climate change, but the planet can’t wait.  We must protect future generations, and we must protect ourselves, against the pollution that is contaminating our world.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 8th, 2008 at 1:56 pm and is filed under Uncategorized .