Report: Coal-fired plants cause deaths, asthma attacks

Jun 19 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Spencer Soper The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa.

Coal-fired power plants owned by PPL and seven other energy companies contribute to thousands of deaths, asthma attacks and hospital visits, according to a report by an environmental group.

Allentown energy company PPL, meanwhile, maintains it has invested billions of dollars reducing pollution from its coal power plants, which it says play a key role in producing sufficient electricity for customers.

The Natural Resources Defense Council released the report today, highlighting its estimates of the environmental consequences of coal power plants owned by eight companies that have collectively spent $67 million lobbying Congress regarding power plant emission issues between 2010 and this year.

Rather than spending money to fight tougher anti-pollution efforts, the companies should invest in cleaning up power plants, the group said.

"Let there be no doubt: The health and welfare of millions of individuals (including children) who are vulnerable to the asthma-attack inducing effects of air pollution or the brain poisoning impacts of mercury pollution hang in the balance," the report states. "These companies need to clean up their pollution without further delay."

The report estimates that pollution from PPL power plants in 2011 caused up to 979 premature deaths, 6,131 asthma attacks and complications, 612 hospital admissions and 322,131 days of lost work or limited activity.

Collectively, coal-fired power plants owned by the eight companies generated enough air pollution in 2011 to contribute to as many as 10,300 deaths, 65,000 asthma attacks and incidents, 6,600 hospital and emergency room visits, and 3.4 million lost work-days, according to the report. The economic toll for that pollution is as much as $78 billion, the report states.

PPL already spends far more on reducing emissions at its coal power plants than lobbying, company spokesman George Lewis said. The company has spent $2.7 billion reducing emissions at coal plants in the past five years and will spend another $2.3 billion over the next five years, Lewis said.

"We're not a 'just say no' company," Lewis said. "We've been putting money into making our plants cleaner."

Because of those investments, PPL is prepared for stricter emissions guidelines proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency, Lewis said. He defended the company's lobbying since the power industry is heavily regulated and PPL wants to make sure laws are reasonable and also consider the effects on customers who pay for plant upgrades through their electric bills.

Coal plants remain a key part of electric generation and are not easily replaced, Lewis said. PPL's two coal plants in Pennsylvania generate enough electricity for two million homes.

Spencer.soper@mcall.com

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