Showdown nears in Texas TXU coal plant battle - Reuters

[Eugene]

Showdown nears in Texas TXU coal plant battle
09 Feb 2007 20:33:12 GMT
Source: Reuters

By Eileen O'Grady

HOUSTON, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Opposition is growing to TXU Corp.'s <TXU.N> $10 billion
plan to build new coal-fired power plants in Texas as lawmakers and regulators consider
measures in the next few weeks that will determine whether the projects can move
forward.

Environmental groups have been joined by elected officials and business leaders arguing
that TXU's plan to build 11 new coal plants will drastically increase emissions of sulfur
dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury and carbon dioxide, worsening the state's air quality
and contributing to global warming.

A public rally to oppose plans by TXU and other developers is set for Sunday on the
steps of the state capitol in Austin. Both sides have bought newspaper and TV ads to
sway public opinion.

-snip-

The battle pits powerful mayors in Houston and Dallas against Texas Gov. Rick Perry
who supports coal development. It pits Texas cities that welcome jobs and taxes the
plants will create against communities that want more coal plants only if they use a
technology, called gasification, to cut pollution.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N09395044.htm

[redqueen]

1. I'm glad to see so many joining forces against this...

they're stepping up their side too, with ridiculous advertisements showing babies' faces and stuff like that.

I guess they think that'll help.

[deborah_mitchell]

2. Cuts in Emissions

Does anyone know how many existing gas-fired plants in Texas will be shut down in order
to bring the coal plants on-line? So far, I know of three units located at the Valley Plant.
I wonder how much of the emissions cuts are due to shutting down existing plants? I thought
Texas needed ADDITIONAL energy?? We're energy gluttons.

[hatrack]

3. Interesting, isn't it?

They'll move heaven and earth to get approval for an even dozen coal plants in record time - this would be, what, six months since the initial proposal rolled out, if that?

But boy oh boy oh boy, you just can't study global warming enough before enacting even the most tepid, timid policy that might maybe just barely slow the rate of GHG buildup growth, can you?