Environment Texas Praises Austin Energy’s Proposal for Future Electricity Generation

Statement of Environment Texas Clean Energy Advocate McCall Johnson

“This is a very exciting plan.  It increases energy efficiency and wind power, and doubles the amount of solar power.  That’s great news for the environment, and it further solidifies Austin’s position a world leader in clean energy. If adopted it could mean millions of dollars in new investments and thousands of new high paying manufacturing jobs in clean energy.
 
We are also encouraged that Austin Energy recognizes the need to eliminate our dependence on dirty coal-fired power. Coal-fired Power Plants cause major environmental and health problems, including asthma attacks and water pollution, and are a major source of global warming pollution. Austin residents have a historic chance to set an example for the world by selling the Fayette coal plant. Austin Energy recommends that we decrease our stake in the Fayette power plant by 40%, which is a good first step, but Austin should get entirely out of the coal business, as the City of Los Angeles agreed to do recently.”