Proposed Coal Plant's Water Plan Stirs Debate
BAY CITY — Behind a locked gate, on a flat, 1,200-acre parcel of land beside Texas’ Colorado River, cows graze and maize crops grow.
Four years from now, developers hope to begin operating a giant power plant here that will burn coal and petroleum coke. The $2.5 billion White Stallion Energy Center, they say, will help meet Texas’s growing need for electricity, and also provide jobs in a county with an 11.5 percent unemployment rate.
But the plans have stirred considerable controversy both locally and around the Colorado River basin. Texas is more welcoming of new coal ...
Comments (7)
BayouCrier News
Why is coal being used to power the plant? Natural gas is the preferred fuel for power plants these days and this proposed plant is next to the Eagle Ford shale which is one of the most prolific oil and gas producing regions in the USA. It does not make sense to use coal transported from Wyoming when clean burning natural gas is out your back door.
As for the water, not all has to come from the Colorado. Diversify the water sources from the Trinity, Brazos and the Colorado. Pipeline it to the plant and discharge back to the same rivers.
The LCRA has done a great job attracting people to the Colorado watershed, I know they can find the solution for delivery of services.
Mary V. Huse via Texas Tribune on Facebook
NO COAL PLANT!!!!!!
Mary Lee via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Don't like... :(
Gigi ATexaslady via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Anything using coal should be refused immediately. Use Natural Gas ...anything but coal. Will never move into the future with coal. Start forcing these companies to search for better, more efficient, cleaner methods of producing energy. Besides the Colorado goes nearly dry each summer, so where is all this "needed" water coming from?
Sebastian St Troy via Texas Tribune on Facebook
All of those billions proposed to build a coal plant could build a lot of solar and wind powered systems. In order to end our reliance upon fossil fuels, we have to stand up and act. August 24th is the next board meeting for the LCRA in Austin. If you cannot attend, contact them and express your disapproval - http://www.lcra.org/about/overview/contact.html
Sebastian St Troy via Texas Tribune on Facebook
You can also sign the petition - http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/white_stallion/
Betty Hamilton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It seems that our elected officials are selling Texas to the highest bidder. First, to the WCS (Waste Control Specialists) that will store hazardous wastes, including radioactive wastes, near Andrews -- just 50-70 miles from prolific farm country and right over the Ogallala Aquifer -- and now this!