[Baltimore Sun] We can’t afford the human cost of coal-fired power | STAFF COMMENTARY
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s sweeping new rules regarding power plant emissions drew the usual reactions from those who profit from coal mining and coal-fired energy. They are already promising to block the regulations in court, claiming they’re unaffordable, unrealistic and even un-American — to the extent that the nation’s electric grid may find itself coming up short in kilowatt-hours. Yet here’s what they’re missing: Continuing business-as-usual energy production in the U.S. is literally killing us. Why should that be an acceptable price?
It’s not just the long-term existential cost posed by greenhouse gas emissions and climate change that concerns us; burning coal also produces enormous amounts of coal ash with all the mercury, cadmium, lead and other toxins that come with it. The new EPA rules address this toxic waste, which has been polluting our rivers and streams and poses a serious health threat — especially to developing fetuses exposed to neurotoxins like mercury. How hypocritical for conservatives to claim limiting women’s reproductive rights is “pro-life” when they can simultaneously side with the energy industry over public health.
Is the transition to green energy easy? Clearly, it’s not. In Maryland, we are struggling with how much to invest in natural gas infrastructure given that burning gas carries adverse consequences, including greenhouse gas emissions, nitrogen oxides and other precursors to smog. But if the EPA doesn’t set some firm limits now — over gas, over coal ash, over mercury — we are going to pay an even higher price in premature deaths, in more asthma, in more hospital visits and so on. Surely, Americans can agree that whatever dollars fossil fuel consumption may save you on your monthly utility bill, it’s not even close to being worth it if it means a shorter and more difficult life for you and your family (and big medical bills).
Baltimore Sun editorial writers offer opinions and analysis on news and issues relevant to readers. They operate separately from the newsroom.
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