According to Rolling Stone [1] (January 25, 2007), TXU, an electric power company based in Dallas has recently announced plans to build 11 new coal plants in Texas over the next four years. These additional coal plants would put more pollution into the air each year than 11 million SUVs. These will be the “old technology” types of coal plants, rather than the “newer and cleaner method known as coal gasification.”
Texas Governor Rick Perry announced fast-tracking permits for these new coal-fired plants two weeks after the recent election. Rolling Stone also reports that TXU had pre-rewarded Perry’s reelection campaign with more than $130,000.
TXU is reportedly undeterred by the protests of 30 Texas cities and towns represented 7 million people.
They are already talking about expanding beyond Texas with another fleet of new coal plants in other states. By pushing ahead so heedlessly, they are essentially betting the company on the belief that most Texans-and most Americans-would prefer to risk epic storms, droughts, crop failures and polluted air rather than to save the planet.
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