Defending against coal, the most polluting energy source on earth, and clearing the way for clean renewable energy solutions like solar and wind.
Bloomberg Philanthropies commits $50 Million
On July 21, 2011, the Sierra Club announced a partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies that will effectively retire one-third of the nation's aging coal fleet by 2020, replacing it with clean energy. The partnership includes a $50 million commitment over four years to the Beyond Coal Campaign that will fuel the Sierra Club's efforts to clean the air, end the coal era, and accelerate the transition to cleaner, cost-effective energy sources
"If we are going to get serious about reducing our carbon footprint in the United States, we have to get serious about coal. Ending coal power production is the right thing to do, because, while it may seem to be an inexpensive energy source, the impact on our environment and the impact on public health is significant." said Bloomberg. "Coal is a self-inflicted public health risk, polluting the air we breath, adding mercury to our water, and the leading cause of climate disruption."
Studies show that replacing coal's pollution with clean energy is possible and as coal prices are going up, wind and soloar are down. The green job section is growing - the wind industry already provides more jobs in the U.S. than the coal industry.
Rocky Mountain Victory
Colorado is on the path to a clean energy future. Following an advocacy and communications campaign funded by The Sierra Club Foundation, Colorado Public Utilities Commission recently approved plans by Xcel Energy and Black Hills Corporation to shut down or repower nine boilers at four coal-burning power plants by 2017. This development follows our previous successes, when two additional boilers were taken offline in 2010 – ultimately phasing out coal in the Denver area.
To learn more about the Beyond Coal Campaign on the Sierra Club's website, click here!
