Ricky Junquera - (617)599-7048 - ricky.junquera@sierraclub.org
Lakeland, FL -- Monday, Lakeland Electric staff presented plans to the City Commission to retire the remaining unit at the CD McIntosh coal-burning power plant by 2024. Lakeland Electric staff recommended the retirement of the CD McIntosh coal plant in a powerpoint presentation.
“I want to say thank you to the Lakeland Electric Commission and staff for their commitment to move beyond coal with the retirement of the CD McIntosh coal plant. This would not be possible without the countless members of the community who came to meetings and forums, wrote letters and made calls to push for this retirement,” said Susannah Randolph, Senior Organizing Representative for Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign in Florida. Sierra Club stands ready to work with the commission and staff as they develop a plan that insures a clean energy future for Lakeland and Polk County residents.”
“This is great news for the people of Lakeland and the State of Florida,” said Tom Palmer, Chair of the Sierra Club’s Ancient Islands Group. “When you look at the numbers across the state, coal just doesn’t cut it anymore. Retirement of the CD McIntosh coal plant is comparable to removing 394,736 passenger vehicles off the road in one year! We look forward to working to move Lakeland to 100% Clean Energy.”
The CD McIntosh coal-burning power plant is the 288th plant retired nationwide since the Beyond Coal Campaign began in 2010. Retiring the CD McIntosh coal plant means removing 2,049,424 tons of Carbon Dioxide and 7,734,807lbs of Sulfur Dioxide pollution from our air (by 2009 standards).
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.