As a matter of fact, we already have technology that could meet this country’s energy needs without coal power; the problem is the extremely powerful fossil fuel lobby is determined to see these technologies never become as widespread as they could. There are other ways of generating electricity besides coal and nuclear power, and other countries are already deploying them much faster than us. Scotland is set to run on 100% renewable power by 2025: are you saying the United States is so technologically backward that we can’t keep up? I have a little more faith in our engineers and scientists.

Sadly, whether you realize it or not the coal plants you live near are most likely polluting your community; if not it’s simply because the prevalent winds blow the pollution elsewhere. Coal plants emit mercury, lead, arsenic, and a host of other potentially deadly chemicals. Like radiation from a nuclear accident, the effects of these compounds can remain invisible for years. However that shouldn’t tempt you into a false sense of complacency.

Finally I certainly have a great and abiding respect for the brave workers in our nation’s coal mines. That’s why I wish they didn’t have to risk their lives every day, doing one of the country’s most dangerous jobs. Just last year 29 workers died in a coal mine owned by Massey Energy. Companies like Massey, Arch, and Peabody don’t have our country’s best interests at heart – if they did, would they be lobbying Congress to weaken the Clean Air Act and other environmental laws?

The tired old argument that “the lights will go out if we stop burning coal” (which, believe it or not, I have heard before) is a vast over-simplification. We have the technology to generate energy in ways that are safer, cleaner, and better than burning coal. Now let’s make use of that know-how.