EarthBeat Radio

Coal is a dark and dirty source of energy -- it's also the source of about 80 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.

So why is the coal industry pushing to build over 100 new coal-fired power plants across America? They're rushing construction before Congress finally sets caps on greenhouse gases. But activists are fighting back.

Patrice Simms, a senior project attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council joins host Mike Tidwell to discuss coal nationwide.

Then we focus on one plant planned in Wise County, Virginia. Joining us from Charlottesville, Virginia is Cale Jaffe, the lead attorney fighting against the planned Dominion Virginia power plant. Cale is a staff attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center. Joining him is Matt Wasson, the conservation director for the group, Appalachian Voices.

Finally, we talk about the people living in the shadows of coal. Nick Miroff is a staff writer for the Washington Post - his story on prescription drug abuse among coal miners can be read here. Joining him is Kathy Selvage. She's a citizen activist and the vice president of the group - Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards.

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Music for this edition of Earthbeat comes from Moving Mountains: Voices of Appalachia.

Our theme music is Baladi by Tony Anka, Bellydance Superstars vol. 2.