Comments on: Senator’s ‘fossil’ energy theory a remnant of the past http://blog.cleanenergy.org/2009/03/18/senators-fossil-energy/ Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:37:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lawyers firm specialising in asbestos cancer in Signal Mountain, Signal Mountain mesothelioma lawyers http://blog.cleanenergy.org/2009/03/18/senators-fossil-energy/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Lawyers firm specialising in asbestos cancer in Signal Mountain, Signal Mountain mesothelioma lawyers Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:17:54 +0000 http://blog.cleanenergy.org/?p=420#comment-23 [...] CleanEnergy Footprints » Archive » Senator’s ‘fossil’ energy ... [...] [...] CleanEnergy Footprints » Archive » Senator’s ‘fossil’ energy … [...]

]]> By: Sandy Lusk http://blog.cleanenergy.org/2009/03/18/senators-fossil-energy/comment-page-1/#comment-13 Sandy Lusk Sat, 21 Mar 2009 18:04:13 +0000 http://blog.cleanenergy.org/?p=420#comment-13 I responded in a Letter to the Editor to Sen. Alexander's op-ed piece. So far, my LTE has not been published but maybe there is a backlog. LTE's have to be short, no more than 200 words. So, I had to write about mountaintop removal, global warming and coal ash in less than 200 words. Not easy to do with any substance. Here is my response: On Sunday, Sen. Alexander supported coal as a solution to our nation's energy needs. Unfortunately, coal is the dirtiest way to produce electricity. There is no such thing as clean coal. After Alexander stated that the NRDC supports coal if burned cleanly, I contacted them. The NRDC is opposed to coal-fired plants because of the devastation to our environment, damage to public health, and it is the highest contributor to global warming. Extracting coal through mountaintop removal is an appalling and horrific exploitation. Over 500 mountains in Appalachia have been destroyed with green hills turned into moonscapes. The highly mechanized mining benefits few but creates many long lasting problems. Waste products from coal threaten our environment and health. Lately, TVA has had several coal ash and sludge spills. This waste contains high levels of arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium. Mercury and lead are known neurotoxins. Arsenic and cadmium are known poisons and carcinogens. Coal plants emit more carbon dioxide than all the cars and trucks in America. Coal plants do not capture and store carbon dioxide emissions like the forests destroyed by coal extraction. For our future, we need sustainable energy. Sandy Lusk Signal Mountain, TN 37377 I responded in a Letter to the Editor to Sen. Alexander’s op-ed piece. So far, my LTE has not been published but maybe there is a backlog. LTE’s have to be short, no more than 200 words. So, I had to write about mountaintop removal, global warming and coal ash in less than 200 words. Not easy to do with any substance. Here is my response:

On Sunday, Sen. Alexander supported coal as a solution to our nation’s energy needs. Unfortunately, coal is the dirtiest way to produce electricity. There is no such thing as clean coal.

After Alexander stated that the NRDC supports coal if burned cleanly, I contacted them. The NRDC is opposed to coal-fired plants because of the devastation to our environment, damage to public health, and it is the highest contributor to global warming.

Extracting coal through mountaintop removal is an appalling and horrific exploitation. Over 500 mountains in Appalachia have been destroyed with green hills turned into moonscapes. The highly mechanized mining benefits few but creates many long lasting problems.

Waste products from coal threaten our environment and health. Lately, TVA has had several coal ash and sludge spills. This waste contains high levels of arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium. Mercury and lead are known neurotoxins. Arsenic and cadmium are known poisons and carcinogens.

Coal plants emit more carbon dioxide than all the cars and trucks in America. Coal plants do not capture and store carbon dioxide emissions like the forests destroyed by coal extraction. For our future, we need sustainable energy.

Sandy Lusk

Signal Mountain, TN 37377

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