Los Angeles gets more of its electricity from two large and dirty out-of-state coal-fired power plants than any other electricity source. Combined, the plants emit as much climate-disrupting pollution as nearly six million cars. Whether it be mercury, smog, or climate-disrupting pollution, these plants are among the worst polluters in the country.

We have a choice. Los Angeles can continue to hand over its customers' checks to dirty out-of-state coal companies, or we can invest in local clean energy solutions here in Los Angeles that support family-wage jobs for Angelenos. 

Across the country, communities are saying no to coal. Here are three recent victories that prove a coal-free future is within our grasp:
• 150th proposed coal-fired plant defeated. Early in 2011, the Sierra Club and our supporters and allies reached a milestone, announcing the defeat of the 150th proposed coal-fired power plant since the beginning of the "coal rush."
• The Pacific Northwest goes coal-free. In the last two years, Washington and Oregon have adopted and are now implementing plans to end coal-fired power generation.
• Colorado cuts coal cost effectively. After clean-energy job-creating legislation was signed into law, a Denver utility company announced plans to close four coal plants, eliminating a staggering 1,000 MW of coal-fired power.

Coal-fired power has a dirty secret. It's not only bad for public health and the environment, it's also increasingly expensive. Just because energy prices are increasing, that doesn't mean your bill has to. As the cost of coal rises, common-sense energy-efficiency programs will let us use power effecitvely, which will help keep our bills manageable. By pursuing aggressive but achievable energy-efficiency goals, we can end our destructive use of coal and protect our pocketbooks.