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Connie Holmes
Carol Raulston

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2002

NMA SUPPORTS PRESIDENT BUSH'S CLIMATE, MULTI-EMISSIONS PLANS

"The Bush administration's Climate Action Plan and multi-emissions policy will meet environmental objectives while allowing the continued use of clean and affordable coal-based electricity essential for economic growth," Jack N. Gerard, president and chief executive officer of the National Mining Association, said today.

"The outline of the climate plan has our support as it gives energy providers the flexibility to continue developing innovative clean coal technologies that will further reduce emissions over the long-term," Gerard said. The multi-emissions proposals, while challenging to meet, "will continue to build on the trend toward progressively cleaner air Americans have enjoyed in recent years, while allowing the expanded use of coal to meet growing electricity demand and keeping electricity affordable for American consumers."

Gerard noted that in formulating its climate proposals, the Bush administration rejected mandating targets and timetables -- an approach which would "unnecessarily restrict coal use and hamper economic growth." He added, "Continuing advances in the Department of Energy's carbon sequestration and clean coal technology programs are only two examples of how voluntary efforts and flexible approaches to technical innovation can achieve demonstrable results."

Likewise, the multi-emissions plan avoided drastic reductions in restrictive timeframes included in some Congressional proposals, which would have had a negative effect on utilizing domestic coal and U.S. energy security, both goals of the President's National Energy Strategy.

Gerard said as these proposals are considered, it is important to remember that EPA data indicate U.S. air quality has improved substantially over the past three decades, while the nation has experienced tremendous economic growth and greatly expanded use of coal-based electricity.

Since 1970, coal-based generation has grown 179 percent to meet a 142 percent rise in national electricity demand, and coal's share of total electricity generation increased from 46 to 51 percent. Yet, there has been a 30 percent decline in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from coal power; a 71 percent reduction in SO2 per kilowatt hour of output; and a 33 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide per kilowatt hour of output. Overall, there was an average reduction of 56 percent over the combination of five of the six pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act, according to a study pairing EPA and Energy Information Administration data conducted by the Foundation for Clean Air Progress.

"It is clear the increased marketplace deployment of innovative clean coal technologies will continue to have a progressively positive impact on the nation's air quality," Gerard said. "Coal-based generation is complying with the world's most stringent air quality requirements, while continuing to provide plentiful and affordable electricity."

Gerard said the mining industry is looking forward to working with the administration and Congress in both the climate and multi-emissions areas, to further develop policies that achieve both environmental and energy security objectives.