"Beyond Coal"
About the Film
"Beyond Coal" is a film in four parts that tells the stories of western citizens and their struggles against the construction of coal plants where they live. These ranchers, doctors and people from all walks of life are fighting for their land, their air, their water, their children, and the preservation of their communities.
"Beyond Coal" documents how coal plant proposals in the western states of Montana, Utah, Nevada and New Mexico have mobilized local residents to combat these plants that will expose them to noxious greenhouse gasses, heavy metals, toxic fly ash and other pollutants that will impair their ability to make a living, to raise children without developmental impairments, and to avoid contact with known carcinogens.
Produced by the Story Group, with expert commentary from authorities on health, energy policy, and coal, "Beyond Coal" lets the people who will pay the price for energy derived from coal speak. Their verdict is in -- and coal is out.
Utah
Sevier County, Utah is home to one of the most beautiful high-elevation mountain valleys in the state. It is also ground zero for the battle over a proposed coal-fired power plant and the compelling grassroots story of locals fighting to protect their air, water, health, and quality of life against shady energy speculators.
Nevada
Nevada has perhaps more than any state the potential to meet its own energy needs and to be an energy exporter through its vast wind, solar and geothermal resources. Until earlier this year, proposals for three huge coal-fired plants served as blockades to Nevada’s clean energy future by locking out much of the renewable energy investment. Two of those proposed coal plants have now been shelved, leaving the Toquop project planned near Mesquite still on the table and the last holdout against a growing tide of Nevadans who are looking to develop the state’s clean energy resources that are far cleaner, reliable and more affordable while greatly expanding the state’s economy.
Montana
A proposed coal plant near Great Falls, MT has lost financing, lost partners, lost customers and lost the support of the public. So why are its backers still trying to build it? Flying in the face of common sense, the proposed Highwood coal plant would be situated in an area with substantial renewable energy potential that could provide the economic benefits of locally produced energy without coal's serious side effects.
New Mexico
The Four Corners area of northwest New Mexico is already home to two large coal-fired power plants. Local residents already suffer the ill effects of living under the dark cloud of pollution emanating from their smokestacks. Plans to add yet another coal plant to the region have residents saying, "Enough!"