Southern Alliance for Clean Energy presents

Burning Coal, Burning Cash

A new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists
for our May monthly webinar series.

Featuring Co-Author, Barb Freese

May 25, 2010

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 About Us
•! Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) has been a
leading advocate for clean, responsible energy choices that
better our communities, our region and our world for over 20
years.

•! Since its formal inception in 1985, SACE has grown from a

small group of individuals into a dynamic organization, with
five offices across the Southeast and initiatives at federal,
state and local levels. SACE continues to expand
organizationally, to address the needs of a rapidly changing
planet.

•! As we look toward the future, SACE is committed to

preserve, restore and protect our environment
through the use of innovative technology,
community outreach, grassroots and decision-maker
education, and dedicated policy advocacy.

For more information on Southern Alliance for Clean Energy please visit
www.cleanenergy.org
Photo: Thinkstock.com
 What is a Coal State?

major producers major consumers

Their economic interests differ

!!Most coal from west
–! Wyoming’s Powder
River Basin mines

!!Most plants in east

–! Wyoming coal fuels
plants in 34 states (inc.
New York, Georgia)

!!States increasingly
dependent on distant
coal
Photo:PictureQuest
Six ways to measure dependence

!!Net dollars spent

!!Net tons imported
!!Spending per person
!!Spending relative to
size of economy
!!Imports relative to
electricity consumption
!!Total international imports

Photo Credits: iStockphoto.com, Thinkstock.com

 The Billion Dollar Club:
Most spent on net coal imports
Growing drain on states
Increase in import costs,
2002-2008:

!!Georgia: up 87%
!!North Carolina: up 88%
!!Alabama: up 170%

Higher prices, more

imports
Most spent on coal imports per person
Comparing coal imports costs and energy
efficiency investments

!!What Georgia spent

to import coal per
person (2008): $270

!!What Georgia spent

on energy efficiency
programs per person
(2007): $0.50
State spending per person on electricity
efficiency programs
Foreign coal imports

!!16 Eastern and Gulf

states get coal from
Colombia, Venezuela,
and Indonesia
!!US still net exporter
!!But imports tripled
1999-2008
!!82% of coal used in MA
comes from Colombia
Most spent on foreign coal imports
$2.6 billion leaving Georgia
$2.35 billion leaving North Carolina
$1.56 billion leaving Florida
$1.39 billion (net) leaving Alabama
79% of coal burned is imported
$1.21 billion leaving Tennessee
$1.1 billion leaving South Carolina
$457 million leaving Mississippi
more than 70% of coal burned is imported
 All Regions have
Renewable Options
!!Some in the Southeast
say federal RES will force
them to import renewable
power

!!Southeast has local

renewables, little coal
–! Southeast imports coal
from S. America, exports
biomass to Europe
Renewable Technical Potential in SE
As % of 2008 power use

•! Alabama 56%
•! Florida 41%
•! Georgia 84%
•! Mississippi 90%
•! North Carolina ~250%
•! South Carolina ~250%
•! Tennessee 60%
 Health Costs from Coal

!! $62 billion in costs

from coal emissions
(premature deaths,
heart and lung
disease)

!! $156 million per plant

!! Doesn’t count mercury,

other toxics, global
warming, mining

Source, National Academy of Sciences, 2009

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YES WE CAN – SOUTHERN SOLUTIONS
Today, renewable energy resources generate enough power to serve
approximately 5% of retail electric sales in the Southeast.

• Near-term renewable energy resources can generate more than 15% of

forecast electricity demand by 2015.

• The Southeast’s resources are ample, diverse and widely distributed.

Utilities and state regulators will have flexibility in choosing the solutions that
are in the public interest.

• With energy efficiency improvements, renewable energy could meet 30% or

more of the Southeast’s near-term needs for electric power.

• One day, renewable energy and energy efficiency may be able to meet
nearly all electricity demand.
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PROPOSED COAL PLANTS
•! Longleaf – Dynegy, 800MW, GA. Permits have been issued,
are being challenged. Georgians for Smart Energy
•! Washington and Ben Hill Counties, GA – Power4Georgians
EMCs, 2x 850MW. PROPOSED. Plant Washington permits
released, are being challenged. SACE, Georgians for Smart
Energy.
•! Cliffside – Duke Energy, 800MW, NC. UNIT 6 PERMITTED –
40% complete. SACE part of 2 legal challenges, and the Stop
Cliffside Coalition: www.stopcliffside.org.

CANCELLED PLANTS
•! Pee Dee – Santee Cooper, 1320MW, SC. CANCELLED due
to costs, pending federal action, etc.
•! Seminole – Seminole Electric Cooperative, 750 MW, FL.
CANCELLED.

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 !"#$%&'"$()*+),)-.$/$0)1$!22&+.3-4*)5$

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY
•! Defending new Florida utility Energy Efficiency goals
•! Participation in TVA, NC and GA resource planning
processes
•! New energy recycling program in the Carolinas
•! Participation in TN, FL building code development and
region-wide strategy
•! Participation in Duke efficiency advisory collaborative (to
implement Save-a-Watt)
•! Supporting “Energy Efficiency Works” campaign for a
federal Energy Efficiency Resource Standard.
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OTHER CAMPAIGNS
•! SACE staff actively working on sustainable biomass.
•! Led the Regional Wind Energy Initiative as part of the
DOE wind efforts in TN and KY.
•! Coordinating a DOE grant aimed at building market
acceptance for wind energy with the GA and SC energy
offices and our partners - mostly focused on offshore wind
and also some on mountain wind. in N. GA)
•! Supporting solar and waste-grease biofuel initiatives
region-wide.

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 Thank You!
Questions?

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