On Jan. 24, Environment Texas joined the "Roll Beyond Coal" coalition. With twelve new proposed coal plants in the state, Texas has more than any other state in the nation.   The coalition is working to end the second wave of coal plants in Texas, halt the permitting of any new coal plants in Texas until the Texas Commission of Environment Quality (TCEQ) adheres to the Clean Air Act and finalize a strong rule to require new and old coal plants to meet modern pollution standards for carbon when new facilities are constructed or existing facilities are significantly modified.

Call your legislators and tell them you are disappointed the Legislature failed to stop the coal rush.

Texas is already struggling with air pollution and plans by TXU and other electric utilities to build at least 11 additional dirty, coal plants will mean more asthma, lung disease and premature deaths. After he received $189,050 from TXU and other coal interests, Gov. Perry issued an executive order to fast-track the permitting of the plants, reducing the time for the public to voice their opinion and for scientists to complete studies on the long-term impacts of the plants. We can save energy at half the cost it takes to produce new energy from these new plants by further investments in energy efficiency. Renewable energy like wind and solar power could also meet all of Texas' energy needs. We need to call a time-out on the permitting of these plants until all the information is in -- because when all the facts are considered, we're confident they'll show that clean energy and efficiency are the smarter choices.