Dispelling the clean coal myth

Detailing the coal epidemic sweeping the state of Georgia and how the local Beyond Coal Campaign plans to deflate its influence. 

By Amanda Pack, Local Correspondent Mon, Jan 10 2011 at 12:13 AM EST

It is by no stretch of the imagination that the connotations assigned to coal power are overwhelmingly controversial. As an energy source that blatantly pollutes in record amounts, yet provides nearly half of the nation's electricity, coal has garnered vast attention on both sides of the spectrum. Environmental activists deplore the costly and irreversible effects, while supporters of the source praise its seemingly "clean" attributes, boasting that properly managing the fossil fuel will ultimately assist in drastically reducing our dependence on foreign oil. The debate has spawned staunch supporters on either side; however, the seemingly oxymoronic nature of "clean coal" has encouraged the launch of a nationwide campaign to effectively dispel the "clean coal myth."

........

Contrary to the inarguable effects of this particular structure, there are plans to construct three new plants of this nature: Longleaf, Washington and Ben Hill. The silver lining in the cloud of adversity concerns a 2009 video posted on the Sierra Club's website regarding Plant Washington. Filmed near Sandersville, Ga., the video sheds light on the ghastly evidence underlying coal power and how Plant Washington will quite literally drain resources from the community and drastically affect the livelihood of the citizens surrounding the structure. Since the video's creation, four of the ten initial investors have resigned support for the plant, leaving Cobb, Pataula, Snapping Shoals, Washington, Upson and Central Georgia EMC as continued investors.

Read more at: http://www.mnn.com/local-reports/georgia/local-blog/dispelling-the-clean-coal-myth