Clean Coal Discussion Headed to Nashville October 7 with Presidential Candidates: American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) Available for Comment.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Representatives from the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) will be on-site in Nashville during the Presidential debate to promote the importance of coal-based electricity to the overall energy, environmental and economic security of the United States.

ACCCE is a sponsor of CNN's election coverage and will be located next to the Election Express Yourself customized Airstream Trailer in Centennial Park, adjacent to the Vanderbilt University campus. The event runs from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

Joe Lucas, vice president of communications for ACCCE, said energy issues must remain at the forefront of the debates and along the campaign trail. "With the current economic struggles of the U.S., it's especially important to make sure each candidate addresses energy issues throughout the campaign, leading up to the election," Lucas said. "Energy, the economy and the environment are inextricably linked and we cannot make public policy decisions on one without it affecting the others. That's why we're scheduled for Nashville and why we'll be in New York for the final debate," he said.

ACCCE representatives will be reaching out to debate attendees on important facts related to coal-based electricity, such as: coal provides this country with half its electricity; coal is domestically abundant (200-year supply) and; coal averages one-third the cost of other fuels used for electricity.

Clean coal technology (CCT) is nothing new--America's coal-based electricity providers have invested more than $50 billion in technology over the last 30 years--but more and more Americans are starting to learn and hear about CCT for the first time. A growing majority in this country feel the challenge of reducing greenhouse gases can be met head-on with technology.

"If Congress and the new administration call on the coal-based electricity sector to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, continued investment in technology will be needed to protect all American consumers and businesses from exorbitant electricity rate increases," Lucas said. "To meet this goal, we need energy polices that favor the funding, development and deployment of advanced CCT and we need to ensure all of the candidates understand this vital link."

Note to journalists: ACCCE will be available for comment in Nashville before and after the debate. Contact: Cullen West - 703-585-3160 or [e-mail].

About ACCCE

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) is a non-profit, non-partisan partnership of companies involved in producing electricity from coal. Because coal is America's most abundant energy resource, ACCCE supports energy policies that balance coal's vital role in meeting our country's growing need for affordable and reliable electricity with the need to protect the environment. ACCCE also advocates for the development and deployment of advanced clean coal technologies that will produce electricity with near-zero emissions. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, ACCCE has more than 40 members employing more than 360,000 Americans. For more information, visit www.cleancoalusa.org or www.americaspower.org