by Jessica Helm, Conservation Chair
In June, the Chapter Executive Committee voted to work with the national Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign here in New York, and in August a new Beyond Coal Committee was created to lead the Chapter's campaign. Frank Morris and Don Hughes are co-chairs of the Beyond Coal Committee.
The Beyond Coal Campaign began in the Midwest to block new coal plants because of their potential contribution to carbon pollution causing global warming. The campaign has since grown in size, ambition, and effectiveness and is now working throughout the country to end the harmful pollution from mining, burning, and disposing of coal and its wastes altogether.
Coal is the leading source of toxic mercury pollution and dozens of other pollutants causing nearly a thousand premature deaths, sending hundreds of children to the hospital with asthma, and costing us millions on our health care bills due to other respiratory diseases in New York every single year.
Recognizing that coal use cannot be separated from our nationís dysfunctional dependence on fossil fuel, the coal campaign merged with the Sierra Club's Clean Energy campaign. Now, Beyond Coal organizers work around the country with chapters and local activists to shift energy use to sustainable sources.
Only about 4% of New York's energy comes from coal-burning power plants in our state, but another 6% of our energy is imported, and much of that comes from dirty coal plants in neighboring states. In contrast, natural gas and oil each generate one-third of our energy. This dependence on imported "coal by wire" and on a diversity of fossil fuels means that our Beyond Coal Campaign must focus first and foremost on reducing demand for all fossil fuels.
"Negawatts" - the power never supplied - is the most efficient form of power available. Efficiency and conservation have long been our Chapter's preferred energy solution, and efficiency will be the first priority of the Beyond Coal Committee.
While great gains can be made with efficiency alone, new sources of renewable energy will also be needed in our sustainable energy future, and the committee will be looking at ways to advance the best options for renewable energy.
The committee will also be working to shut down existing coal use in New York by focusing on individual coal plants that are a burden to their communities.
To get involved, contact Frank Morris (fm@ecologicadvisors.us).