The day’s events are connected through Power Past Coal (www.powerpastcoal.org), a national project linking together an action or more a day for the first hundred days of Obama’s presidency.  The project’s first seventy-seven days have seen over 130 actions in all fifty states, each demanding that the President and new Congress lead a just and swift transition away from coal.

“We need to make our leaders realize that all coal is foolish, especially clean coal,” said Ted Glick, of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, whose work has focused on the promotion of clean, just energy alternatives to coal in places like Wise County, Virginia, where the Wise Energy Alliance is protesting Dominion Power Company’s proposed coal plant.  Fossil Fools Day events in Denver similarly target the operating Cherokee Coal Plant, which releases toxic pollutants daily into local residents’ backyards. 

In New Orleans, conservation groups, students, and concerned citizens are joining forces at Entergy’s headquarters to protest the company’s plans to expand their use of coal power in Louisiana.  “Louisiana’s coast is ground zero for climate change impacts,” said rally organizer Jonathan Henderson.  “Entergy should be a responsible neighbor and work to limit coast-destroying pollution and protect rate-payers from future carbon price increases.

In the spirit of the “Coal Circus,” students from Bowling Green, Kentucky are planning a Monster Mash and a critical mass bike ride.   Berkeley, California residents will also hop on their bikes to “reclaim the streets” from car-driving fossil fools, as will students in Tempe, Arizona, who have declared themselves “too cool for fossil fools.”

Despite the lighthearted nature of the events, participants know that coal is not a joke.  Many come from communities impacted daily by coal extraction, burning, and waste disposal.  As President Obama’s 100^th day rapidly approaches, thousands of citizens across the country are taking action to draw urgent attention to the need for “power past coal.”  See www.powerpastcoal.org for more information. 

Original Story from Sierra Club.

November 13, 2008

In a move that signals the start of the our clean energy future,  the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) ruled today EPA had no valid reason for refusing to limit from new coal-fired power plants the carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming.  The decision means that all new and proposed coal plants nationwide must go back and address their carbon dioxide emissions.

“Today’s decision opens the way for meaningful action to fight global warming and is a major step in bringing about a clean energy economy,” said Joanne Spalding, Sierra Club Senior Attorney who argued the case. “This is one more sign that we must begin repowering,  refueling and rebuilding America.”

“The EAB rejected every Bush Administration excuse for failing to regulate the largest source of greenhouse gases in the United States.  This decision gives the Obama Administration a clean slate to begin building our clean energy economy for the 21st century,” continued Spalding

The decision follows a 2007 Supreme Court ruling recognizing carbon dioxide, the principle source of global warming, is a pollutant under the federal Clean Air Act.

The film Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars will be coming to South Texas the week of November 10, 2008.

On Tuesday, November 11, the film will be shown in Corpus Christi at the Progressive Center, 413 Waco St. across from the Nueces County Court House.

The screening will begin at 6:30pm.

On Wednesday, November 12, the film will be shown outside Victoria at the Reeves Ranch, on Reeves Ranch Park Rd.

The screening will begin at 7:00pm.

Following both screenings will be a panel discussion with experts and local community leaders to discuss next steps and to answer questions from the audience.

For more information stay tuned to CoalBlock.org or contact us.

You can also keep updated at the local group webpages:

Clean Economy Coalition in Corpus Christi:

CleanEnergyCorpus.org

and Citizens for a Clean Environment:

CleanEnergyVictoria.org

ReEnergize Texas, a UT student group, is arranging the screening as part of their Power Vote campaign.  Power Vote is a national student campaign to engage political candidates on climate change by building a voting block of 1,000,000 people for clean energy.

“Our political leadership needs to understand that addressing climate change presents a great economic opportunity for Texas,” says Patrick Meaney, co-president of ReEnergize Texas. “This event will educate voters on the importance of our energy future and help them vote for clean energy candidates.”

Fighting Goliath was produced by The Redford Center at the Sundance Preserve and Austin-based Alpheus Media with the goal of boosting awareness of and engagement in the global battle against conventional coal-fired power plants.

“The heart of this film is really about issues of health, future generations and the value of our own land and resources. The film was made to support the story of the Texas coalition and their struggle against a giant power company. It is our way of giving other states and communities a model for what can happen when people take personal responsibility and get results. We want to let people know that they don't have to give up hope,” says Robert Redford, who also narrates the film.