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2 Degrees Out WestAuthor: Western Resource Advocates Language: en Genres: Earth Sciences, Nature, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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WRA Mini Pod: Debunking Clean Coal
Episode 2
Friday, 27 February, 2026
Clean Energy Expert Debunks Clean CoalIn a legally dubious 202c order, the federal government forced the broken, dirty, and unreliable coal power plant to stay open past its planned closure. The craziest part? The plant is currently broken and would need to be fixed – costing millions of dollars. It's the latest in the confusing effort from the administration to keep coal power plants online despite the abundance of evidence that there are more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective options.The main utility that operated Craig 1, Tri-State, had been planning its closure for over 10 years - In part due to its air pollution impacts on places like Rocky Mount National Park and the fact that it’s not needed for reliability. As a listener, you may already know all of this. This is an issue WRA and others have been vocal about in 2026. We produced a podcast, many social media posts, and currently have an action alert where you can tell your state leadership to fight to close coal power plants in your state.However, many online – whether humans or bots coordinated by powerful interests - seem inclined to defend coal.Coal is one of the worst energy sources for the West. Regularly, The West suffers from some of the worst air pollution in the country. Salt Lake City, Denver, Reno, and Phoenix all experience serious levels of ozone and particle pollution. Those pollutants are linked to cancer, lung disease, asthma, and a wide variety of other nasty health concerns. Ending coal power is imperative if we're going to protect our health in the West.To help debunk some myths and claims, we asked WRA’s Clean Energy Director, Erin Overturf, to debunk some of the pro-coal comments on our social media.As a side note – this podcast is available in a video version for those interested in a visual format.Today’s exciting new video version of 2° Out West: Debunking “Clean Coal” with a Clean Energy Expert!Video Version:https://youtu.be/4mKT1s_XYTw2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. WRA protects and advocates for Arizona, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, and Wyoming. 2 Degrees out West is a podcast for advocates and decision makers who want to fight climate change and its impacts across the West. On 2 Degrees Out West we talk with climate experts and advocates to bring you stories, experiences, and insights from their work in the places we call home. It is Hosted by Dave Papineau Want to be part of 2 Degrees Out West? Email us with thoughts, suggestions, and interviewees at dave.papineau@westernresources.org. Follow us @westernresourceadvocates on Instagram. Create a clip sharing "our Bright Climate Future for the West" and send it to us at dave.papineau@westernresources.org. to be included in one of our next episodes. Join our email list to stay updated on when new episodes are released and calls to action on how you can help the West. ...
