City of Houston > Mayor Bill White

MAYORS MILLER & WHITE ANNOUNCE TEXAS CITIES FOR CLEAN AIR COALITION & INTRODUCE HIGH-PROFILE LEGAL TEAM
Coalition of Texas Mayors Formed to Advocate for the Public on Proposed New Coal-Fired Plants

August 31, 2006 -- Numerous Texas cities are coming together to show their concern on behalf of millions of citizens in this state and have formed an organization to represent their interests in the permitting process of 17 new coal-fired plants proposed to be built in Texas by seven different utility companies. These permit requests are currently being reviewed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Led by Dallas Mayor Laura Miller and Houston Mayor Bill White, the coalition of 17 cities known as "Texas Cities for Clean Air Coalition" announced the formation of the organization and the team of lawyers who are working on their behalf.

The cities making up the "Texas Cities for Clean Air Coalition" are: Arlington , C edar Hill, Coppell, Dallas, DeSoto, Duncanville, El Paso, Fort Worth, Frisco, Hillsboro, Houston, Irving, Lancaster, McKinney, Plano, Rockwall, and Wylie. The coalition anticipates other cities joining the effort in the next few months.

Mayor Miller stated "We know that the utility companies need to provide more electricity for people, and we know that they need to build more power plants to do that. But there are companies outside Texas that are using more modern, cleaner technologies than the proposed method of coal-burning to do it."

Miller continued "We would simply like to research this thoroughly and present all the alternatives for consideration."

"We have a responsibility to provide reliable energy to Texans at a cost that is economically sustainable, while minimizing state and federally regulated pollutants and greenhouse gasses," said Mayor White. "The process for determining how we make this happen must be open and fair."

Irving Mayor Herbert Gears stated "Currently air quality in North Texas is in poor shape. Using cleaner and more efficient methods that currently exist, power can be produced and distributed in a less harmful way. As leaders in our communities, we must hold the power industry accountable to produce power quickly without compromising environmental standards."

The coalition introduced the impressive legal team which has been brought together to work on this important environmental issue. This team will be led by Susman Godfrey L.L.P.- one of the nation's leading litigation law firms and Stephen Susman, who was named World's Leading Commercial Litigator in The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers 2006. The legal team also includes Debra L. Baker-founding partner of Houston-based CONNELLY * BAKER * MASTON * WOTRING * JACKSON L.L.P., which focuses on complex environmental cases and was recognized as one of Houston's 2006 Top Lawyers by H Texas Magazine; and David Frederick of Loweree & Frederick, an Austin-based law firm known for its work representing local governments and others facing environmental threats.

The environmental consequence of building coal-burning plants has become a national issue. In Texas, according to environmental groups engaged in the issue, the 17 additional coal plants would add 30,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, over 115 million tons of CO(2), and nearly 4,000 pounds of toxic mercury each year.

Most of the proposed coal plants are in East and Central Texas. With established wind patterns, those emissions are headed straight for some of the most heavily populated areas of the state. These areas, some of which are non-attainment areas, are left to clean up the air but face a 'no-win' situation when 17 new coal-burning power plants are on the drawing board and the smoke headed their way.

Mayor Miller added "The formation of this coalition is exciting because we are organized, statewide, for the first time on environmental issues - and ready to speak with one voice in the next battle, no matter where it is in Texas."

Three facts to remember:

An account will be opened soon to receive donations from the public to the "Texas Cities for Clean Air Coalition".

Statement from Mayor Bill White Regarding Cities for Clean Air

Houston is joining with other cities to ensure that Texans have access to reliable electricity, generated in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner. New power plants should incorporate proven strategies to reduce emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases. There are technologies and other control measures in place at coal powered plants, in Texas and elsewhere, which should be considered when the TCEQ reviews permit applications for new plants in Texas. There has been progress in cleaning our air, due to the investments in technology and energy efficiency. We should continue this progress even as our population and energy demands grow. Examination of a full range of practical strategies by the TCEQ will enable us to accomplish this.