Ouch! Florida Ranks #3 in States with Most Toxic Air Pollution from Coal and Oil Power Plants

Florida may have the distinction of having some of the best beaches in the country, but the state also just garnered a top slot in a not-so-coveted contest.  Florida comes in at #3 in the list of states with the most toxic air pollution from coal-fired power plants.  The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) used data from the EPA to rank the top 20 worst states for air pollution from power plants. Only Ohio and Pennsylvania exceeded Florida’s rates.  It seems the Sunshine State needs to drastically step up its clean energy cred.

As of 2005, Florida had 30 coal-fired generating power plants at 14 locations, representing 18.8% of the state's total electric generating capacity.

Notably, the campaign against coal just got a major boost. Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently donated $50 million to the Sierra Club’s fight to end coal and usher in a clean energy future. The campaign’s four-year plan is to replace one third of aging U.S. coal-fired power plants with clean energy. Coal harms communities and public health at every step of its use. Coal power plants are the #1 source of mercury pollution in the U.S. Burning coal releases toxic mercury that rains down into river and streams. Half of U.S. families live in places with unsafe air. Pollution from coal-fired power plants has been shown to be a major factor in incidence of asthma in children.

To see where Florida’s coal-fired power plants are located and some stats on pollution released into the atmosphere, check out this link.