TXU Turns Down 'Clean' Power Plant Technology

TXU, a Dallas-based electricity provider, wants to build 11 new power plants around the Dallas-Fort Worth area. They say they will reduce harmful emissions by 20% from all their plants, and therefore the overall result will be no increase in pollution [such as mercury emissions or ozone]. This is disputed by enviornmental experts.

Now we learn that , while the new plants will reduce ozone, mercury and some other pollutants, it does nothing to control carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon dioxide is one of the major causes of global-warming. In fact, when the 11 plants come on-line, carbon dioxide emissions from all TXU plants will double. But it didn't have to be this way.

There is a new plant to be built in Colorado, that will have the cleanest technology of any American power plant. This plant will have new technology that converts coal to gas, which is burned to produce electricity. The technology virtually eliminates the pollutants, including the carbon dioxide. This technology was offered to TXU, but they turned it down.

TXU said the technology wouldn't work here, because they use Powder River Basin coal, which they say contains too much moisture to convert it into gas. This explanation might sound good, if it wasn't for the fact that the new clean-burning Colorado plant will also be using Powder River Basin coal. TXU has been lying to us.

It looks like greed is guiding TXU. They make big promises about wanting to cut back their pollution, but are not willing to spend they necessary money to get the job done. It will take more than empty promises to clean the air in north Texas. It will take new technology. Until TXU is willing to spend for the appropriate technology, they should not be allowed to build any of the 11 plants. The citizens of Texas and the DFW area must pay to keep their car emissions clean [and it takes many thousands of cars to equal one power plant in emissions]. The citizens are doing their part to clean the air. Now TXU must do its part. The technology is there. We must force TXU to use it.