Number: 2009-06
WHEREAS, to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, scientists say that greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced as swiftly as possible; and
WHEREAS, climate change could have catastrophic consequences for people, wildlife and the natural resources on which we depend if pollution that contributes to climate change is not dramatically cut; and
WHEREAS, coal use, primarily for electricity generation, currently accounts for approximately 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide and approximately 27 percent in the U.S.; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Energy Information Administration currently projects coal use in the U.S. to grow by more than 16% by 2030; and
WHEREAS, more than half of U.S. electricity is generated by power plants that burn coal; and
WHEREAS, in addition to producing greenhouse gas emissions, coal use poses several other environmental threats, including production of pollutants that can endanger public health, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, mercury and other hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), as well as mining and ash disposal practices that can critically impair natural resources; and
WHEREAS, research, development, and deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies has substantial potential to reduce energy demand and meet energy supply;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, at its annual meeting assembled April 30 – May 2, 2009, in Pittsburgh, PA, hereby urges federal and state lawmakers to support policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the nation’s existing coal-fired power plants at a minimum rate of 20% by 2020, leading to an 80% reduction by 2050; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NWF urges old, inefficient coal-fired power plants be retired when cleaner energy alternatives are available; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NWF urges that before the construction of new coal-fired power plants, an assessment is done and a determination is made that alternatives, including energy efficiency and renewable energy generation, are not viable to meet anticipated new demand; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NWF urges that if a new coal-fired power plant is constructed, it be required to capture and permanently store or sequester its carbon emissions upon startup, and achieve near zero carbon emissions within 10 years of start-up; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NWF urges that any carbon emissions resulting from coal combustion be captured and permanently stored or sequestered in a manner that ensures performance, public health, and minimal impacts on water, wildlife and wildlife habitat.