Move away from coal

Recently, the state of Arkansas has seen more and more renewable energy produced locally within our borders. We need elected officials in Arkansas that care about moving toward a cleaner energy source so that the Natural State can help lead the nation away from coal.

The production of coal is the main contributor to water pollution in the country; studies show 72 percent of all toxic water pollution comes from coal-firing plants. Coal leads to several toxic heavy metals like arsenic, selenium, boron, cadmium, mercury, and lead in our waterways, as well as pollutes our drinking water and local rivers and streams. Limiting the amount of these pollutants getting into the water supply can help not just the water quality, but the quality of our health, since these heavy metals can lead to several diseases, such as birth defects and even cancer.

The pollution done to our waterways and to our health is a major indicator that we need leaders who will move us away from dirty fossil fuels. I call on our leaders to help lead the change and move Arkansas and the nation to a renewable future by advocating for clean energy. CADE PHILLIPS

Sherwood