For health’s sake, it’s time to phase out coal-fired electricity generation

Health, clean energy and environment groups come together to call for an end to Alberta’s dirty coal problem.

November 9, 2015
Media Release
Pembina Institute

Coal Power Plant, Battle River, Alberta. Photo: Benjamin Thibault, Pembina Institute

CALGARY — World leaders will converge on Paris next month for climate change talks. Alberta is developing a strategy to demonstrate its intention to contribute to the global imperative of tackling climate change. Phasing out coal for producing electricity promises to be a hallmark of this strategy.

The time has come to bring greater attention to the public health benefits that would be realized by accelerating the phase out of coal-fired electricity.

This fall, the Representative Forum of the Alberta Medical Association approved a resolution calling for protection of human health by phasing out coal-fired power as soon as possible. The AMA joins organizations representing Alberta’s nurses and respiratory therapists — as well as Alberta’s asthma and lung disease patients — in calling for improving Alberta’s air by ending Alberta’s dirty coal problem.

A joint call by over 40 organizations for an accelerated coal phase-out is appearing in newspapers across the province today.

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Contacts:

Alberta Medical Association: Shannon Rupnarain, 780-907-9003

Health Sciences Association of Alberta: Elizabeth Ballermann

Asthma Society (able to connect with asthma patients for interviews): Noah Farber, 1-866-787-4050 ext 100

Alberta Lung Association: Leigh Allard, 1-888-566-5864 ext 2241

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment: Joe Vipond, 403-510-9236; Kim Perrotta, 905-628-9437

Greengate Power: Dan Balaban, 403-514-0556 ext 201

Pembina Institute: Ben Thibault, 587-897-6261

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