President Trump has promised to be coal’s savior by easing regulatory burdens. Likewise, when Vice President Mike Pence was governor of Indiana he said that Indiana is a proud pro-coal state.
To see a coal-fired power plant, head to Vanderburgh County in southern Indiana. There are seven within a 30-mile radius. Because of their large size and the large amount of dangerous heavy metals and acidic gases they pump out, four of these power plants are called super polluters. The Centers for Disease Control reported that compared with peer counties across America, Vanderburgh County has a lower life expectancy and a higher rate of adults reporting poor health.
But Vanderburgh County is not alone. The top 100 super polluters are spread out across America. Environmental Protection Agency regulations have reduced toxic emissions that spill out of these monsters. But improved air releases at coal-fired plants have led to increased water pollution. Scrubbers used to clean air in smokestacks produce toxic wet sludge that ends up in rivers and lakes. Since mercury, lead, and other toxic metals don’t go away, there’s no such thing as clean coal technology.
Trump’s pick to head the EPA, Scott Pruitt, has sued the EPA to block their power plant mercury release rules. Surviving Trump’s new great America might be problematic.