TXU's effort to build 11 coal-fired power plants in Texas received a boost Wednesday when the state's environmental agency issued draft permits for six plants.
The action by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality starts a public review process that is certain to result in formal state hearings and is likely to wind up in court. Gov. Rick Perry and business groups are backing the plants as vital to Texas' energy supplies, while the mayors of Dallas, Houston and other cities, plus environmental and health groups and all three of Mr. Perry's gubernatorial challengers oppose them as sources of air pollution.
Dallas-based TXU, the state's biggest electricity generator, called the draft permits part of the company's promise to reduce overall emissions by 20 percent while doubling its use of coal. "These draft permits will help establish some of the most stringent limits you've ever seen," said spokesman Tom Kleckner.
Dallas Mayor Laura Miller, who has helped to rally opposition to TXU's plans, said she welcomed the chance to force TXU to justify its plans to burn more coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel for making electricity. Critics say the new coal plants would worsen urban smog, increase emissions of toxic mercury and compound global warming with carbon dioxide emissions. "The fact that this has happened means there will now be a formal process for the utility companies to explain why these plants will not harm our state's air and for those of us who fear it will make our pollution worse to put on our own evidence," Ms. Miller said. "The public debate formally starts now, and we will be ready to engage in that important debate."
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