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The coal company, First Energy Corporation announced yesterday that it will shutter 6 of its aging coal-burning power plants rather than invest in changes to comply with newly passed environmental regulations. First Energy will close plants in Maryland, Ohio, Oregon and Pennsylvania where it deemed retrofits would not be cost effective. Energy companies have 3 years to revamp coal-burning facilities to comply with clean air standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency in December that require a significant reduction in emissions of mercury and other toxins. The Natural Resources Defense Council applauded the closures, saying “it’s been cheap to be dirty,” for coal-plant owners but not for surrounding communities that have paid a high price through adverse effects on public health and the environment.

Meanwhile, in Utah, the Bureau of Land Management is poised to approve a permit in the southern region of that state for a massive expansion of coal mining. The Sierra Club and a coalition of environmental advocates and concerned Utahns rallied yesterday at the Bureau of Land Management’s Utah office to deliver the signatures of 210,000 people opposed to the Alton coal strip mine expansion. Alton Coal Development LLC has applied for a permit to lease 3,576 acres of land about 10 miles southwest of Bryce Canyon National Park for the project. Bryce Canyon is described by its defenders as one of the last few “pristine and preserved” federally protected spaces left in the nation. They say the strip mine will pollute water and air and may ruin the skyline, famous for dark night skies that sparkle with stars. Environmentally conscious Angelenos have joined the fight against the Alton expansion because 50% of the energy produced there powers the City of Los Angeles. Today is the last day the Bureau is accepting public comment before it issues its Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the project.

GUEST: Evan Gillespie, California Campaign Representative for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign

Visit www.sierraclub.org for more information.