Presidential Race Runs through the Heart of Coal Country, and the Candidates Recognize that Political Reality

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "The Presidential candidates' platforms, their statements and recent ad campaigns reflect the reality that we cannot throw coal-generated power under the energy policy bus," Joe Lucas, vice president of communications for the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE), said today.

"People simply will not stand for policies that unnecessarily drive up energy costs when they already are facing one of the greatest economic crises in decades," Lucas said. "Realistic energy policies are especially essential for the vitality ofKentucky."

Coal-producingKentucky relies on coal as an economic generator for jobs and taxes as well as for relatively cost-effective power generation. InKentucky, more than 92 percent of electricity is coal generated, well above the national average of 50 percent.

"The fact that coal-dependent states can either be painted red or blue as Presidential swing states helps spotlight the fact that energy policy in this country needs to be colorblind, and policy must balance cost with energy independence and environmental concerns," noted Lucas.

On October 7, the federal Energy Information Administration projected an 18 percent increase in the cost to heat a home with natural gas this winter and a 23 percent rise in the cost to heat with oil, almost twice the projected increase for electricity costs.

A study released by ACCCE earlier this year revealed that households with pre-tax incomes under $50,000 already were spending about one-fourth of their household incomes on energy purchases, a doubling of that burden since 2001.

ACCCE has been traveling around the nation during the presidential primaries and during the final weeks of the campaign promoting clean-coal technology by appearing at campaign events and other public gatherings.

"Now, we have promises by the Presidential candidates to invest in clean coal and for coal to be a part of the nation's energy future. That's not just a success for ACCCE members, but for everyone who cares about moderating energy costs and mitigating other economic impacts, such as the coal-dependent jobs and spin-off benefits in these swing states," Lucas said.

About ACCCE - The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity is a non-profit, non-partisan group involved in producing electricity from coal. Because coal is America's most abundant energy resource, ACCCE supports energy policies that balance meeting our country's growing need for affordable and reliable electricity with environmental protection and advocates for the development and use of clean-coal technologies. For more information, visit www.cleancoalusa.org or www.americaspower.org.

SOURCE American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity

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