Fired Up For Action Against Dirty Coal Plant

At a January 16 press conference in Portland, Oregon, above, the Sierra Club and four allied groups gave notice that they would bring charges to compel Portland General Electric (PGE) to install modern pollution controls at its Boarman coal-fired power plant as required under the Clean Air Act. The Boardman plant is the largest stationary source of global warming and air pollution in the state. The coalition is represented by the Pacific Environmental Advocacy Center. That's Club organizer Nat Parker speaking at the press conference, below.

Parker lauds Oregon Chapter volunteers, notably Energy Chair Fred Huette, for publicizing the event, which garnered coverage from the Associated Press, the Oregonian, the Portland Tribune, the Portland Business Journal, KGW-TV, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and KEX and KXL Radio, among others.

The January action follows a Sierra Club event in December at which Santa Claus delivered a stocking full of coal to PGE for being naughty. Pictured below are Oregon Chapter volunteer Donald Fontenot as Santa, flanked by Club organizers Emily Bartha, left, and Christine Caurant, right.

An army of volunteers followed Santa's sleigh, handing out compact fluorescent light bulbs and singing a special coal-free rendition of "Jingle Bells." Activists signed and delivered a giant holiday card asking PGE to support clean energy by cleaning up the Boardman plant.

Learn more about what the Sierra Club is doing to stop the coal rush.