The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity recently used National Train Day to highlight how environmental regulations are harming the U.S. coal industry and could impact the nation’s rail system, where coal takes up a very large chunk of rail tonnage.
“Ever since the advent of the railroads, the United States economy has been the gold standard for growth, thanks to the ability of our nation’s manufacturers and producers to transport our wealth of resources,” American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity Senior Vice President of Communications Laura Sheehan said. “Even today, our web of railroad tracks crisscross the country, providing access to everything from affordable power to manufacturing supplies to other life necessities we rely on every day.”
According to the coalition, coal accounts for nearly 39 percent of rail tonnage, which translates to nearly 19 percent of rail revenue. Those figures have recently experienced severe drops as federal regulations, such as carbon-emissions regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency, restrict the coal industry.
“The next president has a tremendous opportunity to reverse course by recognizing that federalist, regulatory overreach hurts more than those in coal communities,” Sheehan said. “Railroad workers, railroad companies and all who do business with them are facing the realities of politicized energy policies that threaten not only the availability of affordable and reliable energy, but also people’s livelihoods across the nation.”
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