Gov. Goodhair Just Loooooooooves Him Some Coal-Fired Power Plants

[hatrack]

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TXU's plans for 11 new coal plants have generated the most attention recently, but there are eight other new coal plants proposed around the state. These include a new 750-megawatt plant in San Antonio that CPS Energy plans to open by 2010. The issue has prompted debate and intense media coverage in cities such as Dallas, where the Dallas Morning News recently reported that those who stand to benefit from the proposed coal plants have donated more than $100,000 to Perry's campaign since he ordered the fast tracking.

But the governor's camp has remained unapologetic about its support of coal, maintaining that the state's booming population requires more energy from all sources — including coal. Perry's opponents have proposed instead renewable energy sources such as wind, or cleaner coal gasification technology. But Perry spokesman Robert Black said such ideas aren't practical. "The governor isn't just interested in pie-in-the-sky environmental proposals. He's interested in things that actually produce results," Black said. "There are those in some corners who would like to see Texas go the way of California and be so overregulated that it would cripple the energy industry."

The coal plant debate also has opened the issue of global warming in Texas. The new coal plants will emit 78 million tons of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide each year, according to the advocacy group Environmental Defense. That's about the equivalent of the emissions of 10 million Cadillac Escalades. This would solidify Texas' position as the nation's top global warming culprit. It is currently the top producer of global warming gasses in the country, and would be seventh in the world if it were a separate country, according to the federal Energy Information Administration.

Perry is adamant that he will not regulate carbon dioxide — a move he believes could cripple Texas industry — until mandated by the federal government. Only Bell has called for the state to regulate and reduce global warming emissions, although Strayhorn and Friedman have discussed the need to reduce CO2. The Sierra Club and the Texas League of Conservation Voters have endorsed Bell.

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http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA110306.01B.NEW_envirogov.2fba1ed.html