Coal is at the Heart of the Problem
• Coal-fired power plants account for more than 30% of our
nation’s carbon dioxide emissions.
• Despite their poor environmental record, energy companies
have proposed building more than 100 new coal-fired power
plants across the country, virtually none of which have plans to
capture and store carbon dioxide emissions.
• CO2 emissions from coal-fired electricity generation comprise
nearly 80 percent of the total emissions, but the share of
electricity generation from coal is only 50 percent
U.S. Electric Power Industry Net Generation, 2006
4,065 Billion Kilowatt Hours
Sources: Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-906, "Power Plant Report;" and Form EIA-920
"Combined Heat and Power Plant Report."
Health Effect Pathways for the Electricity Sector
Source: Markandya & Wilkinson (September 2007) Energy and Health. Lancet; Vol 370
Health Effects of Electric Generation
Source: Markandya & Wilkinson (September 2007) Energy and Health. Lancet; Vol 370
Cost of Emissions
Source: Electric Power Research Institute
Code Black – Coal’s Assault on America’s Health
The Coal Rush
USA: The “Saudi Arabia” of Coal
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/coal/page/acr/acr_sum.html#fes1
The Coal Rush
Media Organizing Kit
Postcard
Code Black – Coal’s Assault on America’s Health
Call to Action for Health Professionals to
advocate for:
• Moratorium on all new conventional coal
fired power plants
• Investment in research on efficiency,
conservation and renewable energy
Stopping Coal’s Assault:
• Ongoing state-based campaigns
• Connecting the health research on
coal combustion and global warming
to policy action
• An organized and effective national
medical / health voice opposing new
coal-fired power plants
What can Health Care Sector Do?
Assess the Health Care Sector’s contribution to Climate
Change
Develop policies that support individual lifestyle changes for
staff
Integrate sustainability principles and practices in the design,
construction, maintenance, and operations of health care
facilities
Support and Become Active In the Code Black Campaign
Health Professional Associations Take Action
• Action Alerts in Organization Publications
• Association Resolutions and Position
Statements
• Unite Health Care Professionals around
Principles to End Global Warming
What PSR is Doing:
• Educate Health Professionals about the health consequences of coal fired
power plants,
• Identify states and communities strategically relevant to the fight against new
coal fired power plants,
• Link health professionals into local coal opposition activities,
• Mobilize health professionals to deliver the health message,
• Guide a national campaign for organized opposition to new coal fired power
plants with national partners.
Current Activities:
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Deseret Bonanza Utah Case
DC Circuit Court ruling on Mercury
Black Hawk County and Marshalltown, IA, and others
Greenleaf Coal Plant in GA
Wise County Virginia- Dominion Power
How YOU Can Help
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Join PSR Code Black Campaign.
Become a Health Messenger
Educate yourself.
Take action against new coal plants without carbon
capture and sequestration.
• Educate others.
• Make a difference locally: fight the proposed plant in
your state or promote renewable energy alternatives
in your state