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The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) asserts that Ontario's coal plant phase-out significantly reduced air pollution and improved public health. In 2002, Ontario's five coal plants were responsible for 23% of sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions, 14% of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, 23% of airborne mercury, and 20% of greenhouse gas emissions. Between 2003 and 2012, SO2 emissions from these plants dropped by approximately 140,000 tonnes, contributing to a nearly 50% decline in annual air levels of SO2 and a 25% decline in PM2.5 across the province. A 2005 estimate valued the health impacts of coal plant pollution—including over 600 premature deaths and 1,900 hospital or emergency room visits annually—at $3 billion per year. Additionally, Toronto Public Health found that air quality improvements from 2000 to 2011 reduced premature deaths in Toronto by 23% and hospital admissions by 41%, attributing these gains in part to the coal phase-out.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) supports the 2030 phase-out of coal-fired power plants in Canada and Alberta, citing significant reductions in premature deaths, healthcare costs, and mercury emissions, as well as an 8% reduction in national greenhouse gas emissions to help meet Paris Agreement commitments.

The report 'Lifting Europe’s Dark Cloud' examines the health consequences of coal power emissions in Europe, highlighting that 22,900 premature deaths were caused by these plants in 2013. It argues that current EU legislation, specifically the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), is undermined by widespread 'derogations' that allow over half of European coal plants to exceed safety limits. The authors model three scenarios, demonstrating that adopting the most stringent 'Best Available Techniques' (BAT) could reduce annual premature deaths from 8,900 (under proposed BREF limits) to 2,600, while slashing annual health costs from 24.3 billion to 7.1 billion euros. The document calls for the removal of legal loopholes, the immediate adoption of revised LCP BREF standards, and a total phase-out of coal in favor of renewable energy.

The report argues that an accelerated phase-out of coal power in Alberta would significantly reduce premature deaths, emergency room visits, and asthma episodes, while providing billions in socio-economic value. By extrapolating data from Environment Canada's Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (RIAS), the authors demonstrate that a stepwise transition proposed by the Pembina Institute would more than double the health benefits of the 2012 federal regulations between 2015 and 2035.

The Health Collaborative, representing 15 health organizations, argues that phasing out coal-fired electricity in Canada by 2025 is essential for mitigating climate change and reducing severe public health risks. The document highlights that while coal provided only 10.6% of Canada's electricity in 2014, it accounted for 72% of the sector's greenhouse gas emissions. It details the health benefits of coal closures, citing Ontario's experience where the phase-out led to significant reductions in sulphur dioxide and fine particulate matter, as well as a 23% decrease in air-pollution-related premature deaths in Toronto between 2000 and 2010. The submission also emphasizes the danger of mercury emissions from coal plants, which are linked to neurodevelopmental impacts in children. The authors recommend a complete phase-out by 2025, the development of renewable energy, and the implementation of energy efficiency programs.

The report finds that EU coal-fired power plants were responsible for approximately 22,900 premature deaths in 2013, with health costs estimated between 32.4 and 62.3 billion Euros. A significant portion of these impacts is cross-border; for example, coal plants in Poland and Germany caused over 7,000 premature deaths in other countries. The analysis identifies the 'Toxic 30' plants responsible for 51% of these deaths and the 'Dirty 30' plants contributing nearly half of the EU coal fleet's CO2 emissions. The authors advocate for a full coal phase-out, structural reform of the EU Emissions Trading System, and the implementation of an Emissions Performance Standard to meet Paris Agreement goals.

The submission by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) and partners details the 'triple threat' posed by Alberta's coal plants: air pollution, mercury contamination, and greenhouse gas emissions. It provides health-cost estimates for Alberta and uses Ontario's coal phase-out as a successful case study for improving public health outcomes. The authors recommend a complete phase-out of coal by 2025, avoiding new natural gas investments, and transitioning to renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The document examines the role of artisanal gold mining in Zimbabwe as a tool for poverty alleviation and economic growth, while highlighting severe governance failures. It argues that the current state-led approach of criminalisation has failed to address environmental degradation, smuggling, and conflict between artisanal and commercial miners. The authors recommend formalising the sector through clearer land rights, competitive gold pricing to discourage smuggling, and partnerships between small-scale and large-scale operators to improve productivity and environmental compliance.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) objects to Eskom's request to increase particulate matter (PM) emission limits at the Duvha Power Station. CER argues that Eskom's application is based on flawed modelling, fails to account for severe health impacts, and contradicts the goals of the Highveld Priority Area. The document highlights Eskom's history of environmental non-compliance and poor planning, asserting that the requested 'grace period' for repairs is an opportunistic attempt to avoid meeting Minimum Emission Standards (MES).

The document argues that Eskom's applications for emission standard postponements and exemptions are legally invalid because ambient air quality standards (AAQS) are already exceeded in the affected priority areas. It highlights significant health risks, particularly from SO2 and mercury, and criticizes Eskom for failing to consider feasible alternatives such as renewable energy or decommissioning worst-performing plants. The submission also references a World Bank Inspection Panel report on the Medupi Power Plant, which found inadequate consideration of environmental principles, water scarcity risks, and cumulative health impacts.

The report examines the health and economic impacts of Alberta's heavy reliance on coal-fired electricity, which generated 64 per cent of the province's electricity in 2012. Using the Illness Cost of Air Pollution (ICAP) model and other data, the authors estimate that coal plants contribute to hundreds of premature deaths and thousands of emergency department visits annually. The report identifies a wide range of pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, mercury, and particulate matter, which affect respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological health. Economically, the report argues that the true societal cost of coal—including health damages and the social cost of carbon—ranges from 3.6 to 13.7 ¢/kWh, far exceeding the market pool price of 6.6 ¢/kWh. The authors conclude that the current system effectively subsidizes coal power at the expense of public health and recommend that Alberta accelerate the retirement of coal units beyond the 50-year limit allowed by federal regulations.

The document argues for the implementation of strict EPA standards on coal-fired power plant emissions, specifically targeting mercury, benzene, and arsenic. It highlights the public health risks of mercury, the ability of many plants to already adopt pollution controls, and the potential for clean energy sources like wind and solar to replace polluting plants.

The author contends that coal- and oil-fired power plants have lacked national air toxics regulations for a decade, leading to an 'intolerable situation' for public health and the environment. The text asserts that the EPA's economic benefit analyses are incomplete because they primarily measure particulate matter reductions while ignoring the benefits of reducing carcinogens, heavy metals, and respiratory irritants. It highlights that mercury controls can yield rapid environmental benefits and that some existing sources have already achieved mercury emission reductions of 'upwards of 98% from inlet' with minimal additional investment. The author argues that robust standards, alongside the Clean Air Transport Rule and New Source Performance Standards for greenhouse gases, would drive technological innovation in the energy generation sector.

The Clean Air Task Force criticizes the EPA's 'Boiler MACT' rule for weakening emission limits and failing to reflect best performers. The organization calls for the upcoming Power Plant Air Toxics Proposal to implement rigorous, state-of-the-art standards for utility steam generating units burning coal and oil, noting that the EPA and other bodies have sufficient data to regulate mercury, heavy metals, and acid gases.

The document outlines the financial hazards of investing in new or retrofitted coal plants in the U.S., citing competition from natural gas and renewables, rising fuel costs, and the likelihood of future carbon pricing. It highlights that coal is no longer the low-cost option it once was and that many existing plants are inefficient and ripe for retirement. The report suggests that the U.S. can replace most coal power with renewable energy, demand reduction, and natural gas within 15 to 20 years.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) challenges a timeline produced by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), asserting that the EPA is pursuing a realistic regulatory schedule for the electric power sector. WRI contends that many items on the EEI timeline are procedural or existing obligations rather than new requirements. The document highlights significant 'regulatory lag time,' noting that the industry has had years or decades of notice for most pollutants. It emphasizes that finalizing these rules under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act is essential for public health and provides the investment certainty needed for a 21st-century power fleet.

Friends of the Earth calls for the resignation of EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, citing a pattern of ignoring scientific recommendations, violating legal mandates regarding greenhouse gas emissions, and retaliating against whistleblowers.

Earthjustice calls for the resignation of EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, citing a rebellion by 10,000 agency employees who accuse him of ignoring scientific advice to appease political interests. The document highlights specific failures, including the refusal to allow California to regulate vehicle greenhouse gas emissions and delays in obeying a Supreme Court order to regulate greenhouse gases. It further notes congressional investigations into conflicts of interest on EPA advisory panels and contrasts Johnson's inaction with the tenure of former administrator Christine Todd Whitman.

The document concludes that CFLs are significantly more environmentally friendly than incandescent bulbs over their life cycle. Despite more energy-intensive manufacturing and the presence of mercury, CFLs reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% over 10,000 hours of use. The analysis shows that mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants used to power incandescents exceed the mercury released by a CFL's operation and disposal. While frequent on-off cycling reduces a CFL's lifespan and increases its relative assembly emissions, they remain a net win for the environment and typically pay for themselves through energy savings.

The policy brief asserts that because coal is likely to remain a significant part of the global power supply through 2050, the world must transition from coal combustion to integrated coal gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology. IGCC is presented as the most viable path to reducing sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury emissions, while providing a more efficient means of carbon capture and storage compared to retrofitting combustion plants. The author calls for a ban on new coal combustion plants, the rapid deployment of commercial IGCC 'reference' plants in the United States to encourage global adoption, and the large-scale demonstration of geologic carbon storage. Additionally, the document advocates for reforming coal mining practices, regulating toxic solid waste, and reducing water consumption.