(The TCEQ is fixing to be a major story in the coming months. Good to see that Sierra Club is already out in front on it. - promoted by Katherine Haenschen)
Recently, Texas got some big news. It's a story that Texans have known for years and have been shouting out loud, but no one seemed be listening. Until a couple weeks ago. President Obama's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruled that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is not following the federal Clean Air Act!
It takes a lot for the EPA to step in and say enough is enough. Here in Texas they've finally done just that. And it's about time. However, a ruling is not enough. Time is running out considering 11 new coal-fired power plants are proposed across the state. The EPA should halt the permitting or construction of any new coal plants in Texas until the TCEQ cleans up it's act. Because air regulation in Texas has been like law west o' the Pecos, it's not surprising there are more proposed here than any other state in the nation, nor surprising that many of the17 coal plants chuffing away in Texas rank amongst the absolute filthiest. The coal companies are getting away with too much.
Texans deserve better. How about some clean air to breathe!
So, this week we (Sierra Club) and Public Citizen launched a statewide tour with a huge inflatable coal fired power plant visiting communities that would be impacted by the proposed coal plants-collecting comments to send to the EPA, hearing community members speak out, letting other community members know what's going on and asking them to take action!
This could be a huge deal for Texas, as long as the EPA knows that Texans are in their corner and that we want the TCEQ to do it's job by protecting the health and well being of us-the people-instead of just taking money for permits.
You can add your voice to this chorus. It's like Carmina Burna, a nice tune.
Coal is the dirtiest, least efficient energy source available. If you consider doubled asthma rates a problem, then you will say its been disastrous to the health and well being of Texans. Texas is already infamously number ONE in the nation for mercury pollution. In fact, coal plants in Texas emit nearly twice as much mercury pollution as power plants in other states. We're number ONE in our nation for carbon dioxide the principal gas causing global warming.
Texans deserve better. Submit a comment. Get involved. So far, we've been to Abilene, Waco and Dallas, College Station, Corpus Christi, Bay City and Houston. Next stop, next week-Austin! See you out there. |
