"The coal industry is worried about environmental threats. Not threats like climate change, superstorms, or wildfires. Threats posed by environmentalists."
"In May, the American Coal Council—an industry group whose membership includes the biggest coal producers and consumers in the US—hosted a webinar called 'What Environmental Activists Are Planning for Coal in 2013.' As the invitation put it, 'Using social media and community organization tactics, these groups are savvy, motivated and may be off your radar.' The industry has begun to refer to this kind of strategy as a 'war on coal' that aims to stop pollution from coal-fired power plants.
Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, a New York-based marketing firm that works with businesses like Kraft Foods, Coca-Cola, and Bank of America, put together the presentation on the 'environmental threats' posed by groups like 350.org, Sierra Club, and Organizing for America (the activist group spun off from Obama's election campaign). Mother Jones obtained a copy of their slideshow. Using newspaper headlines and promotional materials from environmental groups, MXM's presentation points out all the ways environmental activists have found success in taking on coal."
Kate Sheppard reports for Mother Jones July 5, 2013.
SEE ALSO:
"Protestant Group Votes To Divest From Fossil Fuels" (AP)
Sierra Club "Beyond Coal" Homepage
"Obama Climate Change Plan Faces Political, Practical Challenges Amid Industry Criticism" (AP)
"Obama Revamps $8 Billion Coal Program Amid Objections" (Bloomberg)
"White House Policy Puts Coal Industry on Defensive" (AP)
"EPA Sends Climate Rule To White House" (Politico)
"Obama's Rhetoric Makes Climate Action a Simpler Question of Right And Wrong" (Guardian)
"Beware Dire Predictions on Obama's War on Coal" (CNN)
"GOP Wages War on the 'War on Coal'" (US News & World Report)
"Republicans Use 'War on Coal' Charge To Tarnish Dems Ahead of Elections" (Fox)
