Clean Coal Technology Means More American Jobs

ACCCE President & CEO Testifies at Kickoff Event for Congressional Coal Caucus

Alexandria, VA – At a kick-off event for the Congressional Coal Caucus today, American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity President & CEO Steve Miller testified about the economic benefits provided by coal and clean coal technology. Miller cited several recent ACCCE-sponsored studies that demonstrate the economic advantages of clean coal technology and the importance of affordable electricity.

"Domestically produced coal is the most abundant and affordable means to help satisfy America’s increasing demand for electricity,” said Miller. “By working together, the American coal-fueled electricity industry and its public sector partners can meet the environmental challenges we face, while continuing to provide reliable, low-cost electricity."

Clean coal technologies would benefit the American economy, according to a recent study by BBC Research and Consulting. The study, released jointly by ACCCE and a coalition of labor groups, estimated the employment and economic benefits from deploying advanced coal-based power plants with carbon capture and storage. The study found that 150,000 permanent jobs would be created or supported by the operating and maintenance of 65,000 megawatts of advanced coal-fueled facilities. Construction of the facilities would create and sustain 4.5 million job-years (one job for a one-year period) of employment.

"Coal provides almost half of the electricity we use to run our factories, heat our homes, and grow our economy," said Miller. "Electricity’s role in providing an enhanced quality of life, including a cleaner environment for all Americans, has never been more apparent or more critical."

Miller cited a recent study by Eugene M. Trisko that found energy costs are eating up a disproportionately large share of American family budgets. That study found that approximately half of all U.S. households will spend, on average, 20 percent of their after-tax income on energy.

Copies of the studies and their findings can be found at: http://www.americaspower.org/archive/research