Activists Deliver 'Coal' To Local Lawmakers
Posted: 7:03 pm EDT July 25, 2011
ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- On July 25th a few local lawmakers got some presents in honor of "Christmas in July."It wasn't toys or treats -- they got coal. Environmental and clean energy activists delivered fake coal to local offices of Congressman Charlie Dent, and US Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey.The EPA recently established new rules that affect GenOn's Portland Generating Station in upper Northampton County.The rules will make the coal-fired power plant dramatically reduce its emissions in 3 years.Last month, Casey, Dent and Toomey asked the head of the EPA for more time and flexibility in reducing the plant's emissions.In addition to the fake coal, activists dropped off $4,500 petitions."They're from their constituents asking the Senators to reconsider their positions and support the EPA's action against Portland Generating Station," said Greenpeace field organizer Myriam Fallon. "We're also delivering a box of fake coal to Senator Casey to represent the bad position that he's taken on the coal industry."Dent, Casey and Toomey have said if the Portland Generating Station is forced to dramatically reduce its emissions it could close, costing 70 jobs.Activists say the plant is too much of a polluter to stay in operation.
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