CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – With an announced $500 million commitment to expand the Beyond Carbon campaign, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg seeks to shut down every remaining coal-fired power plant in the country, slash natural gas plant capacity in half, and block any new gas plants, all within the next six years.
Rachel Gleason, President of the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance, remarked “It is an absolute attack on our state, our livelihoods, and our families. It is un-American that someone would use their wealth to destroy our state and nation’s industrial base and also seek to send a large segment of the 381,000 American workers in industry to the unemployment line while destabilizing electric reliability and security in America.”
Bloomberg takes credit for forcing the closure of 70 percent of U.S. coal plants and more than 30 percent of planned natural gas power plant development over the past several years. Now, regional electric grid operators forecast that the amount of planned electric generation retirements by 2030 exceed the amount of potential new generation able to be brought online.
“It truly is astonishing to see an eccentric billionaire spend his fortune on cutting off people’s electricity. Bloomberg should be held accountable for his callous actions” said Travis Deti, ACA Member and Executive Director of Wyoming’s Mining Association.
Chris Hamilton, President of the West Virginia Coal Association asserted “Energy experts agree that the U.S. will not have enough reliable energy production to meet demand, and Bloomberg’s efforts, if successful, may result in black- and brown-outs across the country. Bloomberg, the ultra-liberal national Democrat Party, and their environmental extremist group co-conspirators are marching America off an energy cliff and dooming American families to darker days.”
Coalfield US Senators and Congressional representatives should summons Bloomberg before a congressional committee to explain the impact of his initiative on hardworking Americans and the reality of America’s energy plight.
On behalf of America’s Coal Associations representing 381,000 American Workers and $261 billion in America’s economy.
Statement on behalf of the following organizations:
America’s Coal Council
Energy Policy Network
Illinois Coal Association
Kentucky Coal Association
Ohio Coal Association
Pennsylvania Coal Alliance
Rocky Mountain Mining Institute
Tennessee Mining Association
Texas Mining Association
Utah Mining Association
Wyoming Mining Association
West Virginia Coal Association
