June 2, 2017 - The announcement by President Trump of the decision to withdraw from the Paris accord is consistent with his earlier statements of concern about the agreement. After meetings with the G7 last week and further consideration by his administration, he expressed continuing concern about the harm it would cause the United States.

President Trump put in context the staggering cost of the Paris accord to the U.S. economy which he estimated at $3 trillion, and the insignificant impact it would have on global carbon dioxide emissions.

The President made clear that the American people, the economy and jobs – including coal jobs – are his top priorities. The Paris accord would put America at a competitive disadvantage and our nation’s abundant energy resources under lock and key. He reiterated continuing plans to reduce job-killing regulations and bring jobs, plants and factories back.

America is an environmental leader and the administration’s decision does not diminish that. Technology and innovation have resulted in tremendous air quality improvements, including from our nation’s coal-fueled power plants. More than 90% of the existing coal fleet is equipped with advanced emissions controls. For new coal plants, the use of HELE technologies – high efficiency, low emissions – reduces both conventional and CO2 emissions. Emissions reductions globally will be furthered by the continued development and deployment of these clean energy technologies.

The American Coal Council represents the collective interests of the American coal industry from the hole-in-the-ground to the plug-in-the-wall ~ in advocating for coal as an economic, abundant and environmentally sound fuel source.