Air quality is our business, too

07:31 AM CST on Tuesday, December 19, 2006

We are a group of committed business leaders who feel it is critical to become involved in matters that affect air quality in Texas. We firmly believe that not only our health and the health of our children and grandchildren but also the economic vitality of our own businesses depend upon our ability to foster technologies that promote efficiency and minimize harmful emissions.

There is no conflict between promoting clean air and business interests, but rather a natural alliance for the long-term health and economic benefit that clean air will bring to Texas.

An issue that has tremendous significance on the quality of our air is the proposal to fast-track the permitting of conventional coal-fired power plants. We oppose the fast-track process and join The Dallas Morning News, the group of 25 Texas state legislators, the mayors' coalition and other groups calling for a temporary moratorium on the permitting process.

The hearing on the first and largest plant, which will be close to Dallas-Fort Worth, is scheduled to begin Jan. 10. TXU's proposed 11 coal plants would more than double emissions of carbon dioxide from 55 million to 133 million tons, the equivalent of putting 14 million cars on the road.

We hope the Legislature will step up and provide the leadership needed to assure an outcome that is good for all Texans both now and in the future. We urge legislators to examine other available energy technologies, such as "clean coal" (IGCC), which turns coal into a cleaner gas and then burns it; nuclear power; and renewables such as solar power.

Texas has enough power generation capacity today. The Electricity Reliability Council of Texas said it has power to meet even peak demand. However, its margins between available capacity and peak load will diminish to unacceptable levels in the next three years if no new peak capacity is created. We are basically talking about the 20 days in July and August when we run our air conditioners nonstop. The projections for needs are based on continued escalation of energy use without any conservation measures.

Why make such a massive investment in older technology just to respond to projected shortfalls for a few peak days in 2008-10? Let's respond to immediate issues and then invest in the newest and best technology. Let's look at conservation strategies, renewable energy, peak-demand pricing, intelligent metering and smaller gas-fired plants to handle the peak loads. These are the solutions that will benefit Texans and Texas businesses.

We recommend that:

  • The governor, state agencies and legislators delay the permitting process to examine demand projections and consider the alternatives to conventional coal-fired plants, such as gasified coal plants and nuclear power.

  • State agencies and legislators consider the cumulative impact on air quality of building 16 new power plants, rather than the effect of each plant alone.

  • Municipalities, utility companies and cooperatives embark on a major campaign to conserve energy.

  • State agencies and legislators promote renewable power sources such as wind and solar power, ensuring that this power can be conveyed to areas where it is needed.

Join Texas Business for Clean Air, and we will work together to ensure the health and economy of Texas. Please visit us at www.TexasBusinessforCleanAir.org and find out how you can make a difference today.

Signed,

Texas Business for Clean Air

Co-chairmen:

Garrett Boone

The Container Store

Trammell S. Crow

Crow Collection of Asian Art

David Litman

ConsumerClub.com

Coalition Members:

Wick Allison

D Magazine

Kenneth and Ruth Altshuler

Richard C. Bartlett

Randy Best

Best & Associates

Hal Brierley

Brierley & Partners

Mary McDermott Cook

Edwin L. Cox

Edwin L. Cox Co.

Steve Durham

Americas Strategic Alliances LLC

Roger Enrico

Dreamworks Animation SKG Inc.

Lee Fikes

Bonanza Oil

I.D "Nash" Flores III

Ceres Capital Partners

Craig Hall

Hall Financial Group

Howard Hallam

Jess Hay

Tim Hixon

Hixon Properties

Tom Lardner

Sun Bright LTD

Michael Lunceford

Tav C. Lupton III

Aubrey K. McClendon

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

Alan Meeker

Conglomerate Gas LP

Bernard Rapoport

American Income Life Insurance Co.

Edward "Rusty" Rose

Cardinal Investments

Stephen S. Smith

Smith Group Asset Management

Jeffrey L. Swope

Champion Partners

Liener Temerlin

Temerlin Consulting

Buddy and Ellen Temple

Jay Wagley

CBRE L.J. Melody & Company of Texas

Sam Wyly

Ranger Capital