Climb against coal
Outraged by the impacts of coal’s toxicity on the health of their children and the safety of breast milk, four moms went on a bold mission to send a loud and clear signal to Governor Gregoire.
This post written by guest blogger, Cara Dolan, Public Health Organizer, Coal Free Washington Campaign.
Outraged by the impacts of coal’s toxicity on the health of their children and the safety of breast milk, four moms went on a bold mission to send a loud and clear signal to Governor Gregoire. Not willing to subject future generations to the toxicity of coal, four Vashon Island moms, Jennifer Williams, Julie Thieges, Katie Wolny, and Genevieve Raymond, and three of their friends successfully summited Mt. Rainer in a Climb Against Coal. Their ascent of Mt. Rainier was a protest demanding a rapid transition off coal for Washington state. They want Governor Gregoire to protect the health of their children and the environment by closing the TransAlta coal plant by 2015, at the latest.
What is it about coal that made these mom’s so fired up?
Washington’s sole remaining coal plant, located in Centralia and owned by the Canadian corporation TransAlta, is our state’s largest source of carbon dioxide, mercury and nitrogen oxide pollution. Annually, TransAlta emits more than 350 lbs of toxic mercury. This is enough to contaminate over 3.1 million acres of lake. To put this in local perspective, TransAlta emits enough mercury to contaminate 145 Lake Washingtons.
Mercury is a neurotoxicant that is most dangerous to unborn children and infants. Mercury contamination is linked to brain damage, reduced intelligence and other developmental problems. It has also been linked to a greater risk of coronary disease in men.
Mercury is not the only toxin released by TransAlta. Annually, TransAlta releases 2.3 million tons of toxic coal ash, including more than 6,500 lbs of arsenic, nearly 2 million lbs of barium, more than 10,000 lbs of lead, and more than 125,000 lbs of chromium.
Arsenic and chromium are known human carcinogens. Barium has been linked to gastrointestinal problems, heart problems, and muscle weakness. Children exposed to lead at a young age are more likely to suffer from learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Lead exposure has also been linked to kidney damage and miscarriage.
Coal pollutants affect all major body organ systems and have been linked to four of the five leading causes of mortality in the U.S.: heart disease, cancer, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory diseases. The good news is that there are healthier and cleaner sources of energy, and Washington has the opportunity to be the first coal free state.
By increasing energy efficiency and utilizing renewable energy resources currently untapped in our region, Washington can lead our nation towards a coal-free future. Operating at full capacity, TransAlta has a capacity of less than 1,400MW of electricity. Washington has the potential to supply an average of 13,128 MW of power with renewable energy sources, including geothermal, biomass, wind and solar resources. Because Washington’s untapped clean energy potential is nearly 10 times the energy we currently get from coal, we can continue powering our lives while not subjecting Washingtonians to the detrimental health impacts of coal.
But don’t just take my word for it, hear it from the moms themselves.
Though not all of us are able to climb a mountain against coal, every one of us has a voice that can influence the future of our health and environment. As Governor Gregoire negotiates the future of Washington’s coal plant, she has the power to protect public health, reduce environmental toxins and put Washington on a clear path to a clean energy future. Have your voice heard. Tell Governor Gregoire that Washingtonian’s deserve a healthy energy future and urge her to move our state beyond coal power by 2015.
Visit www.coalfreewashington.org for more information.
