The C City Coal Plant and the Environment
I read an article in the January issue of Rolling Stone magazine about the new coal plants TXU is building throughout Texas, one of which is located in Colorado City.
This plant will be a big plus for the economies of both Colorado City and Snyder.
I know Rolling Stone has a slanted viewpoint and one would expect them to blast the construction of the plants as being bad for the environment.
Apparently some very strong opposition, based on environmental concerns and centered in the Dallas area, has developed to the plants.
The article did make one good point which triggered my writing this blog entry.
TXU is not using the latest technology to reduce carbon dioxide-emissions in their plants.
This technology is called BAT (Best Available Technology) and significantly reduces pollution.
At the same time it is more expensive.
In fact, TXU, according to the article, convinced Gov. Perry ( by large campaign contributions and postponing rate hikes until after the recent govenor’s election) to fast track approval of plant construction in order to get the plants approved before federal legislation mandated that all new plants use BAT.
In my opinion, TXU should, of their own volition, use the very latest and best technology in building the new plants.
Aside form the larger environmental issues, I want as little pollution dumped into our West Texas air as possible, largely for health reasons.
Thus, I have no objection to their building a plant in Colorado City.
It will greatly help our local economy.
But I do want the plants to pollute the air as little as possible.
TXU should not be allowed to build the plants unless they use BAT.
This plant will be a big plus for the economies of both Colorado City and Snyder.
I know Rolling Stone has a slanted viewpoint and one would expect them to blast the construction of the plants as being bad for the environment.
Apparently some very strong opposition, based on environmental concerns and centered in the Dallas area, has developed to the plants.
The article did make one good point which triggered my writing this blog entry.
TXU is not using the latest technology to reduce carbon dioxide-emissions in their plants.
This technology is called BAT (Best Available Technology) and significantly reduces pollution.
At the same time it is more expensive.
In fact, TXU, according to the article, convinced Gov. Perry ( by large campaign contributions and postponing rate hikes until after the recent govenor’s election) to fast track approval of plant construction in order to get the plants approved before federal legislation mandated that all new plants use BAT.
In my opinion, TXU should, of their own volition, use the very latest and best technology in building the new plants.
Aside form the larger environmental issues, I want as little pollution dumped into our West Texas air as possible, largely for health reasons.
Thus, I have no objection to their building a plant in Colorado City.
It will greatly help our local economy.
But I do want the plants to pollute the air as little as possible.
TXU should not be allowed to build the plants unless they use BAT.