March 6

Two North Carolina groups opposed to mountaintop coal mining have filed a lawsuit to block federal subsidies for developing a new generation of cleaner coal-burning power plants.

The lawsuit, filed March 6 in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., argues the federal government should not subsidize coal plants without knowing the true environmental costs. The U.S. Energy Department plans to offer $1 billion in tax credits to help develop nine new clean coal power plants across the country.

The North Carolina-based groups filing the lawsuit -- Appalachian Voices and Canary Coalition -- oppose mountaintop coal mining, which they call "ultra destructive." The groups said if the new generation of coal-burning power plants is built, it will encourage the continuation of coal mining and coal as a major energy source.

"The fact is there´s no such thing as clean coal as long as our mountains are getting clear-cut, blown up and bulldozed down," said Mary Anne Hill, executive director of Appalachian Voices. "Right now, the electricity that powers your home may well come from mountaintop removal coal. We need fewer coal plants, not more."

The groups argue that mountaintop mining can contaminate water supplies, contribute to air pollution, destroy land and make the climate crisis worse.

Energy officials could not be reached for comment.

 

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