Power Vote

"Clean" Coal's assault on our democracy is in full swing at the Democratic National Convention.

And it is EVERYWHERE. CNN's pre-conference coverage was sponsored by the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE). Upon arriving, "clean coal" signs welcomed me to Denver. "Clean" coal buses and billboards tarnished my view of this beautiful city at every turn. And horror of horrors, I was on the bus yesterday I was chatting with two super sweet grandmas when one of them pulled out a "clean" coal fan.

This is an industry that clearly has a lot at stake in these elections. They have a new name now (ACCCE is the artist formerly know as ABEC) but it's the same industry front group that sponsored the major debates and many primary stops this Winter and Spring. They receive billions and billions of dollars in subsidies, tax breaks, and other freebies that keep King Coal holding our government and our energy future hostage.

Yes, they have multi-million dollar advertising budgets devoted to perpetuating "clean coal" mythology. Yes, their lobbyists have cozy relationships with our elected representatives who feel more beholden to them than to us. And yes, they have managed to keep us dangerously addicted to one of THE dirtiest energy sources around. They've blown the tops of our mountains and they've poisoned our air and contaminated our water.

I am ready for King Coal's reign of terror to be over. I want to see the billions of dollars being given to the coal industry re-distributed to investments in efficiency and clean, just energy. I am ready for our country to build a new, green economy that creates millions of good jobs that improve the prosperity and health of communities in coal country that have all but been destroyed (both economically and environmentally) by the coal industry. I am ready for my elected representatives to start caring about my future and my interests and place an immediate moratorium on coal.

And, it's not just me. Through Power Vote this Fall at least 1 million other youth voters will join me in committing to voting for clean and just energy. And holding our elected representatives accountable.

We may not have billion dollar advertising budgets and fancy fans, but we have the truth and the vision for a better world. And even better, we've got the POWER!