Missouri
Cooperative Abandons New Coal Plant In Favor of Clean Energy
Kansas City — (March 3, 2008), Associated Electric
Cooperative, one of the nation’s largest and most
respected rural electric cooperatives announced they are
“postponing indefinitely” their plans to build
a massive new coal-fired power plant near Norborne in Northwest
Missouri. Associated Electric will pursue wind, energy efficiency
and clean-burning natural gas instead.
The Sierra Club which has been working with Concerned Citizens
of Carroll County to educate local residents about the dangers
of coal and the benefits of clean energy heralded this announcement.
Sierra Club has been represented throughout its advocacy
by the Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic at Washington
University School of Law. For the past two years the groups
have maintained an open and frank dialogue with Associated
Electric officials to encourage them to turn to clean energy
alternatives. Read
more...
Missouri
can do better than Coal!
Associated
Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI)
is moving forward with its plans for a new coal-burning
power plant in Norborne, MO. Despite AECI’s investment
in two Missouri wind farms they continue to insist on a
$1.7 billion investment in more coal capacity. AECI should
be furthering their investments in clean energy instead
of pursuing another unneeded coal plant. Further investment
in clean, renewable energy could create over 17,700 good-paying
jobs in Missouri and help revitalize the state's manufacturing
sector. (www.sierraclub.org/bluegreenjobs)
With the help of Washington University School of Law’s
Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic and Great Rivers
Environmental Law Center, the Sierra Club will continue
to challenge the plant and push for cleaner energy solutions.
Missouri
needs a Comprehensive Energy Plan
How
we produce and consume energy in the future is of vital
interest to our state. Missouri ranks as the 12th dirtiest
state in terms of carbon dioxide emissions and ranks 46th
in the nation for energy efficiency . Missouri currently
gets 86% of its electricity from burning coal, among the
highest percentage in the nation. Missouri continues to
build new coal burning power plants (two in progress and
a third planned near Norborne, MO) while taking no significant
steps to curb global warming gas emissions or to reduce
energy demand.
Missouri
can become a leader in clean energy development, reduce
our dependence on coal, boost our economy and help to fight
global warming by investing in efficiency and renewable
energy technologies that will protect our health and the
environment, create good jobs in Missouri, and save money
on our electric bills. A Comprehensive Energy Plan is needed
to achieve these goals.
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