Business Leaders To Fight TXU's New Coal Plants

Things don't seem to be going all that well for TXU these days. They already had several enviornmental groups and several Texas mayors, including the mayors of Dallas and Houston, opposing their building of 11 new coal-powered plants. Now there is another group coming out in opposition to the coal-powered plants.

The Dallas Morning News tells us today, that a group composed of at least 20 of the most powerful business leaders in the North Texas area, have formed a PAC called Texas Business for Clean Air. The PAC was formed to oppose the building of TXU's 11 new coal-fired power plants, at least with the technology TXU is currently planning to use. These businessmen think that more pollution in an area that is already failing to meet EPA standards, could hurt economic development by boosting health care costs and making the area unattractive to workers.

David Litman, chief executive of Consumer Club Inc., said, "We are not against TXU. We are all for companies making money. But you've passed off some of your costs on the public in terms of dirty air, in terms of kids showing up at Children's Hospital. We think the plan TXU is proposing is irresponsible and is being crammed down our throats. We intend to lobby the legislature, and we intend to use whatever prestige and influence we have."

In the recent past, it has been easy for lawmakers, especially Republicans, to ignore activists and enviornmental groups. But this is a group they cannot ignore. These are powerful men. These are some of the men who fund political campaigns. They have access and will be at least listened to.

TXU needs to take another look at its current plan for the 11 new plants. There is better technology available. They would be better served to take the money they are spending on lobbyists and court costs, and invest it in cleaner technology for the new plants. Think of the good will and good public relations they could build by being a leader in the use of clean technology, rather than the polluter they are now perceived as being.

As Garrett Boone, chairman of The Container Store, said, "There's a myth out there that clean air and business are somehow at odds. This really is going to affect more than Texas. What TXU does could be a pattern nationwide."

Here are the leaders endorsing Texas Business for Clean Air:

Trammel S. Crow, founder, Crow Collection of Asian Art
Garrett Boone, chairman, The Container Store
David Litman, chief executive, Consumer Club Inc.
Wick Allison, publisher, D Magazine
Dick Bartlett, vice chairman, Mary Kay Inc.
Randy Best, chairman, Best & Associates
Stephen Butt, senior vice president, Central Market
Hal Brierley, chairman, Brierley & Partners
Edwin Cox, chairman, Edwin L. Cox Co.
Steve Durham, co-chairman, American Strategic Alliances
Roger Enrico, chairman, Dreamworks Animation
Howard Hallam, president, Ben E. Keith
Bill Hutchinson, chief executive, Dunhill Partners
Tom Lardner, Bright Sun
Aubrey McClendon, chairman, Chesapeake Energy Corp.
Liener Temerlin, Temerlin Consulting
Jay Wagley, managing director, CBRE Melody
Sam Wyly, founder, Ranger Capital