Dallas Business Journal
5:05 PM CDT Tuesday
by Margaret Allen, Staff Writer
In a move pitting Texas cities against utility companies, Dallas Mayor Laura Miller and Houston Mayor Bill White have teamed up to urge mayors of other big cities to fight dirty technology proposed for 17 new coal-fired power plants in the state.
The plants are being fast-tracked through the state's pollution review process with the special blessing of Gov. Rick Perry. That process can typically take more than a year, but TXU Corp. aims to have 11 of its new coal-fired generating units operating within four years.
Miller sent a memo to 45 - 50 mayors of large Texas cities at the end of last week asking for $10,000 from each city to help hire a law firm to intervene before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Houston's White has agreed to spearhead the effort, the letter states. It also says Houston and Dallas will handle organizational work and hiring of consultants.
Coal coming
Across Texas, seven power companies have applied to the TCEQ to build an unprecedented 17 new coal-fired power plants in Texas over the next few years. TXU is proposing 11 new generating units, all at existing power plant sites.
Many of the proposed power plants are near North Texas, including several around Waco in Central Texas and in Fannin County, northeast of Dallas. The largest is a 1,720 megawatt coal-fired power plant proposed by Dallas-based TXU Corp. in Robertson County, about 120 miles southeast of Dallas.
Emissions from those plants could further foul North Texas air, but whether they would add significant amounts of pollutants here is under debate. TXU has argued that the plants won't have a significant impact on North Texas air quality.
Emission concerns
Local political leaders fear the plants could add tons of pollution annually to North Texas, which already is losing a long-running battle to meet federal clean air standards.
In her letter, Miller cites figures that the new plants each year would spew: 30,000 tons of smog-producing nitrogen oxide, or NOx; more than 115 million tons of carbon dioxide, or CO2, which contributes to global warming; and nearly 4,000 pounds of toxic mercury.
Miller said she'd like to have at least 40 cities participate in order to raise the estimated legal and research costs of $300,000 to $500,000.
"Formal intervention means providing the TCEQ with thoughtful alternatives, expert testimony and sworn depositions of fact. This can be done, with the help of outside consultants who do this for a living," wrote Miller.
The goal isn't to have the permits denied, said Miller. Instead, the hope is to force the utility companies to use modern, clean technology, some of which could cut emissions by 60% to 90%, she said.
Frank Librio, Miller's chief of staff, said Miller garnered early support for the idea at a statewide global-warming summit last week hosted by Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, a leading regional advocate of stemming global warming.
"Mayor Miller believes that there are alternatives out there that are better for the environment," said Librio.
TXU spokeswoman Kimberly Morgan said TXU plans to add new, needed electric generation while reducing key air emissions at the same time. "So far, at least 10 city councils, chambers of commerce and other groups have issued resolutions of support for our plan to provide reliable supplies of electricity to power the growth of Texas, and we think more will join them," Morgan said.
Public advocacy groups, including the Sierra Club, Environmental Defense and Public Citizen, since January have been pressuring TXU to use cleaner technology. The groups have charged publicly on numerous occasions that Perry approved fast-tracking the permits as a favor to the utilities, in particular TXU, which have contributed to his political campaign. A Perry spokeswoman has denied that, citing a need for additional power supply in the state.
For its part, TXU has resisted the pressure to use different technology, arguing that it's already planning to use the cleanest alternatives available.
Miller said she'd like to have commitments from the cities by July 31. Public comment before TCEQ will occur in the next 90 days, she noted.
Early support
Arlington Mayor Cluck praised the initiative, saying the idea to address global warming was well-received at his summit.
"Global warming will have devastating effects," he said. "This is not a liberal or conservative, or Democrat or Republican issue. This is a quality of life issue."
Frisco Mayor Mike Simpson says he's also behind the propsal.
"I sent an e-mail back saying we would be in support of the effort," said Simpson.
Librio says that Fort Worth and Coppell also are on board.
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