These industries produce soot and smog-forming air pollution and gases that cause global warming.
Power plants are also a leading source of mercury, a toxin that poisons our fish and waterways.
Instead of doing everything possible to clean our air and curb global warming, the U.S. government subsidizes the coal and oil industries, permits old dirty power plants to continue polluting 10 times more than newer plants, and for the last five years has prohibited an increase in fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks. Seven of the oldest and dirtiest power plant owners are currently pressuring Congress to further weaken clean air standards.