ACCCE: Coal-heavy battleground states loom large in election

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity recently released a paper detailing how coal and coal-fired electricity could impact the upcoming presidential election, with 13 of the 17 battleground states relying on coal-fired electricity.

“We want both candidates to understand the political importance of coal in this election,” ACCCE President and CEO Mike Duncan said. “Each candidate needs to explain how they will ensure an affordable and reliable supply of electricity that is essential to creating jobs and sustaining our manufacturing base in the U.S.”

Duncan said 200 coal-fired electric generating units already have closed in those states, with a further 46 likely to close under current EPA policies. Duncan said the next president’s policies could lead to losses of 370,000 jobs and $90 billion in economic activity.

“Coal-fired power plants not only provide the dependable and reliable electricity our nation needs, but they support hundreds of thousands of families and their communities,” Duncan said. “It is imperative that Mr. Trump and Secretary Clinton work to protect these people and ensure we all have the affordable power needed to keep food on the table and the lights on.”