While about half of all power plants in the country are fueled with coal, these plants account for nearly three fourths of all critieria air pollutants.    Old coal-fired power plants produce particulate and other pollutants that have been linked with an array of health impacts locally and regionally, while also worsening greenhouse gas  emissions.   Current estimates are that about 30,000 avoidable deaths a year in the U.S. are linked with coal-burning, and that about 700,000 deaths worldwide could be avoided by the adoption of policies that increased efficiency and reduced coal-burning emissons and concentrations of key pollutants, while shifting energy policies toward increased conservation and renewable resources.  

1. Do you concur with the Nobel Laureate Gore that we need a moratorium on building new coal-fired plants?  

 2.  What are the projected impacts on public health and climate change from proposed federal tax and trade policies in the Energy Security Act?  

3.  Federal plans are underway to expand power transmission through Virginia, including the building of fifteen-story transmission towers that will run through some pristine areas of the state.  What federal policy options are included in the Energy Security can you devise to oppose these efforts? 

4.  What specific policies regarding conservation, efficiency and innovation can Congress devise to avert extending the life of old power plants and committing to expanding coal-powered capacity?

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