Texas Sierra Club Press on TXU Cancellation of Eight Proposed Coal Plants

Texas Sierra Club Press on TXU Cancellation of Eight Proposed Coal Plants
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For Immediate Release (February 26, 2007):

Sierra Club Celebrates Cancellation of Eight TXU Coal Plants

Still Needed: Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Time Out on Other
Coal Plants

(Austin)--A Texas Sierra Club spokesperson today celebrated the
cancellation of eight proposed TXU coal plants as a victory that
resulted from the unprecedented coalition that mobilized vigorous
opposition to the plants, but he raised concerns that state officials
may now think that the building of other coal plants should proceed even
though energy efficiency and expansion of renewable energy could avoid
the need for the plants.

"A 'time out' on the building of any new coal plants in Texas is still
needed while the State of Texas ramps up energy efficiency, clarifies
and tightens the permitting process for power plants, and develops a
state energy plan that emphasizes efficiency and renewable energy," said
Sierra Club state director Ken Kramer. "Additionally the Texas
Legislature needs to approve the numerous energy efficiency bills now
under consideration, and that legislation needs to be implemented before
decisions on new power plants are made."

"The cancellation of eight proposed TXU coal plants is certainly a
victory for the people of Texas, said Kramer. "What forced the
negotiations was the unprecedented and vigorous opposition to the coal
plants from a diverse coalition of environmentalists, ranchers and other
rural landowners, city mayors, prominent business leaders, faith-based
groups, and numerous state legislators. The effort to pass a moratorium
on permitting new coal plants, the tremendous concern demonstrated by
the thousands of Texans who rallied at the State Capitol against
fast-tracking coal plants, the lawsuits and permit contests by
environmental and landowner groups - all of these contributed to the
decision to cancel eight coal plants."

"Let's be clear, however, that while Texans have won a battle against
dirty coal plants, we have not yet won the larger conflict over the
energy future for our state, our nation, and our planet," said Kramer.
"Our best energy future is to pursue smart energy solutions. We must
take the next steps: increase energy efficiency, expand the use of
renewable energy, and clean up or replace existing dirty fuel sources.
We welcome the commitments from the new TXU in that regard and look
forward to them being implemented expeditiously and vigorously."

"The fact that TXU apparently is still planning to pursue three
coal-fired power plants in Texas - ones using dirty lignite coal - and
that other utility companies are planning to pursue at least eight or
more other coal (and/or petroleum coke) burning power plants in Texas is
certainly cause for continuing concern," noted Kramer. "We don't
understand how TXU's intention to go forward with some new coal plants
jives with their commitments on energy efficiency and renewables. A
report by Optimal Energy demonstrated that energy efficiency could meet
anticipated new energy demands in Texas, so why does the new TXU want to
go forward with any new coal plants?"

"There is a danger that some people will now think that the cancellation
of eight proposed coal plants takes care of all of the concerns that
have been raised about the use of coal as an energy source and that we
can now continue with business as usual," Kramer added. "We need to move
away from reliance on fuel choices that make certain communities
'sacrifice zones' for our wasteful energy consumption. For example, we
need to address the impacts on local communities that arise from the
mining, transporting, and/or burning of coal. Allowing the building of
even some new coal plants does not deal with those issues."

For More Information:
Ken Kramer 512-476-6962 (office) 512-626-4204 (cell)
Cyrus Reed 512-740-4086 (cell)
Donna Hoffman 512-477-1729 (office) 512-299-5776 (cell)

:applause:

:yourock: