Making sense of the 'coal rush': the consequences of expanding America's dependence on coal

As of June 2006, US power producers have approximately 150 new coal- fired plants on the drawing board. The report assesses the adverse impact this additional fleet would have on the environment and public health. It concludes that States and the federal government should not allow any new coal facility to be built, unless: All the costs of coal-fired power plants, including the societal cost of global warming and the probable cost of additional pollution control requirements, are fully considered when utility investment decisions are made; Gasified coal with carbon storage is demonstrated to be the least-cost way to reduce global warming pollution consistent with climate stabilization goals, compared to other clean resources that could satisfy or reduce energy demand; and Any new gasified coal plants with carbon storage are used to replace old, inefficient coal-fired power plants. It advocates that public funds should not be used to support the construction of any coal-fired power plants. Leaders at all levels of government should encourage the development of cleaner alternatives to coal-fired power plants, particularly measures to improve energy efficiency and develop clean renewable resources. 152 refs., 9 figs., 3 tabs., 10 photos., 4 apps.