The Deadly Impacts of Coal on Communities
For decades, since the start of PSR’s environment and health program, examining and educating the public and elected officials regarding potential health impacts of coal and coal ash served as a core priority for PSR. Our advocacy efforts made a great impact in the efforts to counter misleading reports by coal industry lobbyists and combat new coal projects that would threaten nearby communities.
PSR’s seminal reports, including “Coal’s Assault on Human Health,” continue to serve as definitive resources on potential health impacts associated with coal and coal ash to this day. PSR chapters and supporters in and near coal country continue to fight to raise awareness of the devastating, deadly impacts of coal and coal ash on human health.
Local Chapter Work
Some PSR chapters continue to do vital work regarding coal issues at the local and state levels.
PSR chapters working on coal issues:
PSR Arizona: Clean, Safe, Renewable Energy
Chicago PSR: Coal-fired Power Plants & Health
Oregon PSR: Coal Export
Washington PSR: Coal
Coal’s Assault on Human Health
November 2009
Latest Coal News & Actions
Forced Coal Plant Openings Throw Communities Into Chaos
Sierra magazine article quoting Washington PSR’s Breck Lebegue, MD, MPH.
Tell EPA to protect our health from dirty coal ash
EPA is proposing to delay the closure deadlines for coal ash ponds that are known to leak toxic pollutants — such as arsenic, lead, mercury — into our surrounding groundwater. Submit a comment and tell EPA no more delays!
New Report Underscores How Fossil Fuels Impact Every System of the Body
Authored by leading health experts, this new report from PSR shows widespread health impact of extracting, transporting and burning fossil fuels.
We must act to curb black lung disease
Letter to the editor from PSR Pennsylvania’s Dr. Robert Little in the Patriot-News.