For the past 150 years, our country has depended on coal and oil to power our vehicles and cool and heat our homes and businesses.
But coal has polluted our streams and water supplies, degraded our land, and fouled the air with mercury, soot, sulfur, arsenic, chromium, and other noxious gases.
The president's plan is to wean us off these dirty fossil fuels and begin the process of developing clean renewable energy. This will give our families better energy choices, and protect our air and water.
Fortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency is doing what Congress won't do. They are requiring coal fired power plants to reduce the amount of carbon and mercury pollution they are emitting.
But some, like Congressman Bill Shuster, do not support EPA's effort to reduce air and water pollution.
Isn't it about time he came into the 21st century and supported clean renewable energy?
Cindy Petrick, Petersburg
