Beyond Coal Virginia
The Virginia Sierra Club is actively fighting the proposed construction of a new $6 billion 1500 MW coal-burning plant in Hampton Roads with the Wise Energy for Virginia Coalition. If established, this plant would emit 14.6 million tons of CO2 per year - equal to adding 3 million cars to our roads annually. We are also challenging in court a 580 MW $1.8 billion coal plant in Wise County that is currently under construction. Both plants will increase the devastating health and environmental consequences of mountaintop removal coal mining in southwest Virginia where coal is mined.
For a fraction of the price, energy efficiency improvements and power generation from renewables (such as wind, solar, biomass and geothermal) could fulfill all our energy needs. Using power generated from renewable sources and increasing efficiency will both cost less in dollars and in hazards to public health and safety.
We can do better! Let's wise up, Virginia!
Recent Events
Army Corps of Engineers Hearing on NWP 21
Big Stone Gap, VA
Nearly 100 people came to speak against the use of the Nationwide Permit 21 at the Army Corps hearing in Big Stone Gap, VA on October 15th. Thanks to all who came to stand in solidarity with Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards (SAMS) and the brave citizens of Appalachia in the face of the coal companies and voice your opposition to mountaintop removal coal mining! View the Wise Energy for Virginia Coalition video from the hearing.
From the Mine to Mirant, Coal is Dirty Business News Conference
Alexandria, VA
On September 29th, over 35 people gathered in Market Square, next to City Hall in Old Town Alexandria to stop the mountaintop removal that is devastating our Appalachian Mountains. Attendees signed postcard petitions calling for a freeze on new mountaintop removal mining permits, and contributed photo petitions to send to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in support of clean energy. View the article that ran in the Alexandria Gazette by Micheal Pope.
"The State of Virginia must pull itself out of the bottom tier of states promoting clean energy and give up its addiction to mountaintop removal coal mining so the state can achieve greentech job growth."
- Scott Sklar, President, The Stella Group, Ltd
Press Releases
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Activist Resources
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Take Action
Host a Home Movie Screening of Coal Country
Sign up by Nov. 1st to receive a DVD of Coal Country, the new documentary on mountaintop removal mining, and a full materials package to host your own movie party! Invite your friends and family over to spread the word and take action to protect the Appalachians.
Blog Updates
11.20.09
This is a guest post by Greg Haegele, deputy executive director of the Sierra Club, who has a regular weekly column on Treehugger.com. Sierra Club's ...
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11.18.09
That's a photo of Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope (left) testifying at today's Environmental Protection Agency public hearing on the Big Pol...
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