The True Cost of Coal: Three Days of Events

Co-sponsored by Canaries in the Coalfields (a project of the Thomas Merton Center), Tristate Citizens Mining Network, Allegheny County Green Party, Mountain Justice Summer.

Contact info: 412-310-4641 (Jessica) or canariespgh@riseup.net

Events Calendar

Sunday, June 5: THE TRUE COST OF COAL Free Community Conference
                        10:00 am - 5:30 pm

Monday, June 6: GREEN ENERGY EXPO in Market Square 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
                        7:00 pm benefit concert at Mr. Roboto Project.

Tuesday, June 7: RALLY & MARCH--Join the Clean Energy Revolution
                        8:00 pm benefit concert @ Quiet Storm Coffeehouse

 


THE TRUE COST OF COAL Free Community Conference

Sunday, June 5
10am - 5pm @ Community Activity Center
113 N. Pacific Ave. Garfield

A gathering to examine the impacts of coal power throughout its lifecycle—from the mine to the smokestack and beyond—on urban and rural communities in SW Pennsylvania. Speakers will examine mining and coal power production from the perspective of its environmental impacts, its human health effects, and its importance to workers and communities in the past and the present. The afternoon will examine the potential of sustainable energy alternatives in SW Pennsylvania to provide quality jobs while maintaining a healthy environment for future generations.

AGENDA:

10:00 Registration (coffee & snacks provided)

10:15 Introduction to the Conference

10:30 The True Cost of Coal Mining in Southwest PA

    • Mimi Filippelli, Tristate Citizens Mining Network

11:30 The Costs of Coal Power in Southwest PA: Panel Discussion

    • Sue Seppi, Group Against Smog & Pollution
    • Mike Ewall, Action PA & Pennsylvania Green Party
    • Environmental Justice Institute

12:00 Coal Mining, Workers and Community

    • Charles McCollester, labor historian at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and other labor representatives.

12:45 Mountaintop Removal and Mountain Justice Summer

    • Bill Price, West Virginia Chapter Sierra Club

1:30 Lunch (meals will be provided at no cost)

2:30 Alternatives to Coal Power - Green Energy Technologies

    • report from St. Francis University on wind power
    • Mike Ewall, Action PA.

3:00 Developing Green Energy Policies and Practices in Pennsylvania--Panel Discussion

    • Mike Ewall, ActionPA
    • David Hughes, Citizen Power
    • Environmental Justice Institute

3:45 Can We Have a Future With Good Jobs, Vibrant Communities and a Clean
        Environment? (panel with many participants)

  • Introduced by United Steelworkers representative Rebecca Cooper speaking on coalition building between labor unions & environmental activists

4:30 Concluding Remarks, Everyone Goes Out to Change the World...

* Daycare will be available at the center during the conference.


Green Energy Expo

Monday, June 5

11:00 AM – 5 PM

Market Square, Downtown Pittsburgh

A public exhibition of new and old technologies for clean energy production and energy conservation—it can be done! Come see how! Technological innovations for the future and practical steps ordinary people can take right now in our everyday lives.

Displays will include:

  • Biodiesel setup
  • LED home lighting
  • Biomass electric project
  • Efficient home energy systems
  • Documentary on an off-the-grid home

 


Rally for Clean Energy—Health, Jobs, & Energy Independence Can Be Our Future

Tuesday, June 7

11:30 rally at Gateway Center Parkette

12:00 March to Convention Center

12:30 Speak out about the costs of coal power at the David Lawrence Convention Center (site of the National Coal Conference).

Join activists from across Pennsylvania and throughout Appalachia coming together to testify to the devastation that our dependence on coal has caused our communities. Add your voice to this landmark convergence, bringing together rural and urban concerns from across the coalfield region of Appalachia, to demand a clean energy policy.

Speakers include:

  • Judy Bonds of Coal River Mountain Watch in West Virginia (2003 winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize)
  • Mike Ewall of Action PA
  • Bill Price of Sierra Club (WV Chapter) speaking on mountaintop removal.
  • Pennsylvanians speaking out about the impacts of mining on their homes & communities.