Report: Mercury high at Texas power plants

Washington Times
Oct. 27, 2004

Dallas, TX, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Environmental groups charged Wednesday in Dallas five of the 10 worst mercury polluting coal-burning power plants in the nation are in Texas.

One of the plants, near Waco, is ranked the highest in the nation for mercury emission, with 1,800 pounds in 2002, said the report released by the SEED Coalition, Public Citizen, TexPIRG, Blue Skies Alliance and other groups.

"Mercury reductions are needed as soon as possible at all the coal-burning power plants in order to protect our children from brain damage," said Karen Hadden, director of the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development Coalition.

Hadden said the Environmental Protection Agency has failed to protect the health of Texans so the Legislature must take action. She said there are two, new proposed coal-fired plants in the San Antonio and Waco areas.

"New coal plants make no sense, especially when energy efficiency and clean wind and solar energy could be used instead," said Hadden.

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