The coal industry is cleaning up its act when it comes to air
pollution, according to a new report from the Clean Air Task
Force that outlines connections between coal-fired power plant
emissions and premature deaths. In fact, the number of yearly
deaths has been cut almost in half since the same report in
2004, and much of the coal burned in those plants comes from
Wyoming. Report co-author Conrad Schneider explains that new
laws and rules and enforcement of Clean Air Act provisions have
worked to protect public health. Schneider’s report calls for
more regulation of the industry while being mindful of keeping
cost increases to consumers low, and he points to another
benefit beyond health. The report predicts coal plant air
pollution will be connected to about 13-thousand deaths this
year because of heart and respiratory system harm. The coal
industry has often warned that pollution controls will lead to
job losses and higher costs for consumers, but Schneider says
their study found neither to be true.