Cindy Carr, (202) 495-3034 or cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
Yesterday, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said that if we "really care about clean air," the U.S. should export coal from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming to Asia and Indonesia. Exporting coal from the Powder River Basin could emit up to 55 million tons of carbon pollution annually.
John Coequyt, the Sierra Club's Global Climate Policy Director, issued the following statement:
"If Scott Pruitt was a responsible EPA Administrator and not acting like an overindulgent fossil fuel lobbyist, he would never suggest something so ridiculous and out of touch with reality. Exporting coal threatens our air and public health both here at home and overseas. That's why communities across the West Coast have spoken: they don't want to sacrifice their public health for coal executives' long shot export scheme. Meanwhile, just like in the United States, Asian countries are turning away from coal as cleaner options like wind and solar get cheaper with each passing day. The smart money is on the global clean energy economy that is creating jobs here and now, not in propping up the dirty industries of the past."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.