Coal provides about half of our electricity and causes more than 30% of our global warming pollution. From the mine to the plant to the ash pond, coal is our dirtiest energy source. It causes asthma and other health problems, destroys our mountains, and releases toxic mercury into our communities. Continuing our dependence on coal chains us to dirty energy and prevents us from making the changes we need to bring about a clean, secure energy future.

That's why Green Corps organizers are working with the Sierra Club to shut down dirty coal plants in our communities and campuses.  

Working in ten key communities threatened by coal, Green Corps organizers are recruiting and training citizen activists to fight back. For example, Green Corps organizer Heather Kryczka is working in Hood River, Oregon to fight against proposed coal export terminals. Other Green Corps organizers are working to mobilize opposition to shut down exisiting coal plants and advocate for clean energy solutions.

In addition, a team of eight Green Corps organizers are leading the Sierra Club’s Campuses Beyond Coal Campaign – with the goal of moving the nation’s universities beyond coal to 100% clean energy solutions. The campaign aims to shut down or replace campus-based coal plants and end the schools’ dependence on the coal-generated electricity they purchase. 

Green Corps organizers are working at University of Georgia, University of Virginia, Michigan State University, Virginia Tech, Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, University of Cincinatti, to engage students, faculty, alumni and key allies to persuade college administrators to set timetables for phasing out coal on campuses in favor of cleaner energy alternatives.

At UNC-Chapel Hill and University of Illinois-Urbana Champaigne, Green Corps organizers will be piloting the Coal Divest Campaign, with the goal to convince the universities to disclose and divest all holdings and investments in the "Filthy 15" top dirty coal companies.

Since the fall of 2009, Green Corps organizers have launched coal-free campaigns at 25 college campuses, where they have trained more than 3,000 student volunteers and generated more than 400 media stories.  Their efforts have won coal-free commitments from Penn State University, SUNY Binghamton, UNC-Chapel Hill, Ohio University, Clemson University, and Miami University.