Press Mention Chattanooga Times Free Press May 17, 2010
Topical Mention
Southeast leads in coal imports
In this mention
A Union of Concerned Scientists study finds that Tennessee and Georgia spend over $1.2 billion and $2.6 billion annually respectively importing coal for electricity generation, with Georgia importing more coal than any other state. The study argues that ratepayers would benefit from investing in cleaner, local energy sources instead. Tennessee Valley Authority spent nearly $2 billion on coal imports in 2008.
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Full transcript
Southeast leads in coal imports
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
By:
Dave Flessner
Tennessee spends more than $1.2 billion and Georgia spends more than $2.6 billion a year to import coal from other states and countries to fuel most of their electricity generation, according to a study released today.
The Union of Concerned Scientists, a Washington D.C.-based advocacy group that want to reduce coal-fired power generation, said importing coal is a major drain on the economies of states in the Southeast.
Georgia, which doesn't mine any of its own coal, had the highest amount of imported coal of any state in the country. Tennessee ranks No. 8 among the 50 states, according to the UCS study.
Both Tennessee and Georgia generated nearly 63 percent of the state's electricity from coal.
Although the United States is one of the richest countries for its coal reserves, 38 states import coal for power generation.
"We maintain that ratepayers would be better served if their money was kept at home and readily used for cleaner, local energy sources," said Marchant Wentworth, an assistant climate and energy legislative director for the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Among American utilities, the Atlanta-based Southern Co., spent the most on coal imports from outside its service territory at nearly $4.2 billion. Although Kentucky was a leading coal supplier, the Tennessee Valley Authority still spent nearly $2 billion in 2008 on coal from outside its 7-state region.
More details in tomorrow's Times Free Press.