The Facts
Would it surprise you to know that 50 percent of the electricity that heats our houses, lights our schools and powers our industries comes from coal?
Well it's true. And that's just the beginning! In addition to all that electricity, every year coal-fired power plants release about 3.5 million tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxide, 10 million tons of sulfur dioxide, 48 tons of mercury, 56 tons of arsenic, 134,000 tons of hydrochloric acid and 130 million tons of toxic-laden waste -- some of it right into our air, ground and water supply. Coal is like a gift that keeps on giving. So happy birthday -- hope you like asthma!
Find out other facts about nature's dirty gift to humankind that you might not know here.
Our Supporters Speak
Coal's dominance as an affordable source of energy has allowed me to spend more of my money on the things I really need, like heart medicine and expensive tests for mercury poisoning.
-L. Winegar, (early) retired coal plant foreman