Coal Plant’s Air Permit Gets Reversed
Fuel for the planned Las Brisas power plant sits on the Corpus Christi ship canal. Photo by StateImpact TexasAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
A controversial coal plant had a big setback this week after its air permit was reversed. A Travis County district judge says that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality did not follow the law when it issued the permit.
“They really have to make a clear error to get a reversal,” said Erin Fonken, a lawyer with the Environmental Integrity Project, one of several environmental groups that brought the suit. “They failed to require that Las Brisas demonstrate that it would meet standards to lower emissions from toxic pollutants like mercury. So they just didn’t do that analysis whatsoever.”
The TCEQ declined KUT’s request for an interview. Officials said in a statement that they believe the air permit would protect public health and that they’re deciding how to proceed.
Read the full story at StateImpact Texas.
Podcast: Download (980.5KB)
