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Arkansas FORUM | 09/05/2008
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Moving Arkansas to a Greener Future

By:  James Burke

"While there are a plethora of urgent issues facing our nation today, it is the environment that has galvanized the public to take action, says James Burke, an organizer with Ecological Conservation Organization. In this new era of environmental awareness and activism one of the biggest debates in the nation has to do with our use of coal."

"There are potentially two new coal-fired power plants coming to the Natural State. Dynegy/LS Power, based in Houston, TX began construction on the 665-megawatt Plum Point plant near Osceola in 2006. The plant is to begin operations in 2010, providing electricity to North Little Rock and several other Arkansas cities. Also, American Electric Power's, Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) has plans to build a $1.5 billion, 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Hempstead County."

"Coal-fired power plants are being fought all across the nation and here in Arkansas for a variety of reasons, says Burke in an article for the Arkansas Forum. Coal plants are a serious threat to public health, the environment and the stability of the planet's climate. Each year in the U.S., pollution from coal fired power plants causes: 24,000 premature deaths; 38,000 nonfatal heart attacks; 603,000 asthma attacks; 21,100 hospitalizations; and 5.1 million lost work days. According to a recent Sierra Club study, soot particles from coal-fired power plants could harm children's lungs as much as actively smoking. That's all on top of coal-fired power plants accounting for 40 percent of our nation's carbon dioxide pollution, making them a major contributor to global warming."

"While other states are saying no to new coal plants and yes to clean energy alternatives, why is Arkansas about to allow the construction of two new facilities, especially when most of the energy from the SWEPCO plant in Hempstead County will actually leave the state, he asks. Why are we willing to put our families and neighbors at serious health risks so neighboring states can have energy? Why is Arkansas going to jeopardize its natural resources and beautiful wildlife areas so utility companies can make huge profits?"

"There are better alternatives, he states. According to the Department of Energy, Arkansas has the potential resources for biomass, wind and solar, which together could supply up to 188 percent of Arkansas' current electricity needs. This would allow us to also create new jobs, protect the environment and secure a reliable energy future."

"Citizens all across the state must demand a green future, Burke concludes. The real question though is: will Governor Beebe and the political elite here in Arkansas listen and truly do what is best for the state and country by stopping these coal plants and moving Arkansas into a clean energy future?"


PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT/GUEST EDITORIAL

While other states are saying no to new coal plants and yes to clean energy alternatives, why is Arkansas about to allow the construction of two new facilities, especially when most of the energy from the one of the plants will actually leave the state?

There are better alternatives. According to the department of energy, Arkansas has the potential resources for biomass, wind and solar, which together could supply up to 188 percent of Arkansas' current electricity needs. This would allow us to also create new jobs, protect the environment and secure a reliable energy future.

Citizens all across the state must demand a green future. It's time we truly do what is best for by stopping coal plants and moving Arkansas into a clean energy future.


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