Coal Blooded Action Toolkit - Climate Access

Research must also include options for a community to bring in ‘green’ jobs and careers. Those jobs shouldinclude the private and public sectors as well as energy efficiency and clean energy components. Thegreen sector is growing and the opportunities for communities are growing.RevenueRevenue gained from coal plants can come from taxes such as property tax and public utility taxes. It mayalso include revenue from tax exemptions and breaks, and grants from the government. Revenue from coalplants can be very important to a city’s operational budget. This component is important as it identifies whatrevenue is gained from having a coal plant. Revenue can also be gained through clean energy and energyefficiency programs on a community and state level. It is also important to know the revenue that can begenerated through the investment in energy efficiency and clean energy.ElectricityTo better understand the dependency on the electricity from the coal fired power plant, it is important tounderstand the extent to which electricity generated by the plant is sold and transported to other locationsversus being used locally. If the electricity generated is transported outside of the community/town, it ismore politically feasible to consider transition because this is one less point of community reliance on theplant.To determine a transition plan, in cases where the community/municipality is dependent on the plant forelectricity, availability and/or potential for alternatives energy sources must be included in the research.Energy efficiency programs should also be included in the strategy so that the demand for electricity is less.Knowing these types of options available to a community and the path to implement energy efficiency andclean energy as alternatives to harmful coal burning will pave a smoother path to advancing a successfultransition plan for the community.Consideration of jobs, revenue, and electricity impacts must be compared to health effects and other“Energy efficiency programs should also be included in the strategy sothat the demand for electricity is less.”economic impacts in order to come up with workable solutions that protect community health and wellbeingwhile keeping the lights on, maintains livelihoods for families, and maintains the revenue sourcecommunities need to function.Campaign Model OptionsWhat options should be considered when tackling coal issues? Depending on the community’s relationshipto the “resources” provided by the coal plant, the campaign model must include mechanisms forreplacement of revenue, jobs, and electricity/energy source xvi as necessary, depending on the level ofcommunity dependence. Below you will find descriptions of possible approaches that can be taken to eitherminimize coal pollution or shut down a coal plant.NAACP Coal Blooded Action Toolkit39 | P a g e