Trump Hands Out Free Pass for Big Coal, Georgians Pay the Price

ATLANTA -- Today, the Trump Administration gave permissionto two Georgia coal-fired power plants to ignore common-sense safeguards that curb emissions of mercury and air toxics and protect Americans from the deadly health effects of coal pollution.

Plants Bowen and Scherer in Georgia have been given a pass as part of a list of 68 plants exempted nationwide - this includes nine of the nation's worst offenders for mercury emissions.

The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards were expected to prevent 11,000 premature deaths, 4,700 heart attacks, and 13,000 asthma attacks if all coal plants are in compliance. Last month, the Trump Administration invited coal companies to email the administration for an exemption from these standards.

Today's announcement is the latest effort by the Trump Administration to prop up an uneconomic and outdated coal industry. Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive orderto force coal plants to remain open past their scheduled retirement dates.

In response, Sierra Club Campaign Organizing Strategist Lexy Doherty issued the following statement:

"Georgia Power had previously planned to close Plant Scherer Unit 3 and two Plant Bowen Units because they were uneconomic. Now they're asking to extend the life of these plants and allowing them to continue to pollute our communities- while expecting ratepayers to shoulder the cost. We know the deadly impacts of burning coal- asthma, cancer, and heart attacks. Now utilities and regulatory bodies must choose to protect our communities.

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.