Texans Rally to 'Just Say No' to New Coal-Fired Plants
An estimated 2,000 Texans rallied at the State Capitol in Austin on February 11 to oppose the construction of eleven new coal-fired power plants in the state that Governor Rick Perry wants to fast-track, despite a recent study showing they would worsen air quality around Texas cities. Protesters carried signs reading "Clean Air, Clean Conscience" and "Vote No on Coal," while speakers including ranchers, clergymen, physicians, members of the Sierra Student Coalition, and elected officials called for a halt in permitting new coal plants.
"A moratorium would give us time to take a deep, clean breath and brutally analyze all the options available... and the tremendous ancillary costs that nobody looks at: human health, quality of life, and depreciation of property values," said State Representative Charles "Doc" Anderson of Waco, who is sponsoring the moratorium in the legislature. The rally was organized by the Sierra Club's Lone Star Chapter, with strong participation from other environmental, religious, and health-advocacy groups. More than 200 ralliers stayed on in the capital to lobby their elected officials. Read more about what the Sierra Club is doing to promote smart energy solutions.
