Clean Air Task Force Analysis Links Coal Power Plant Pollution to Over 6,600 Premature Deaths Annually
A new analysis by the Clean Air Task Force (CATF) reveals that air pollution from nearly 200 coal-fired power plants in the U.S. is responsible for over 6,600 premature deaths and more than $100 billion in damages annually. The 'Toll from Coal' modeling tool, updated with 2024 emissions data, indicates that sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from these plants contribute to harmful soot and smog. Beyond premature deaths, the pollution causes nearly 2,000 non-fatal heart attacks and over 15,000 new asthma diagnoses each year, leading to hundreds of thousands of missed school and work days. CATF Senior Scientist John Graham emphasized that reducing pollution from these plants is a highly effective public health measure. The analysis also highlights concerns about the U.S. Department of Energy potentially forcing plants with planned retirement dates between 2025 and 2028 to remain operational, which could lead to an additional 2,000 deaths and $28 billion in health-related costs. 
