 "Photo: Curt Youngblood/The Daily Texan")
Smiles, colorful bicycles and costumes were some of the many things surrounding the “Roll Beyond Coal” rally in front of City Hall on Saturday afternoon.
The Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter hosted the rally to encourage Austin Energy to stop using coal and invest in other energy sources such as solar and wind alternatives.
Rally participants asked the Environmental Protection Agency to take firmer action on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to stop granting new coal power plant proposals throughout the state or face legal consequences. The agency claims the environmental commission does not adhere to the Clean Air Act because it grants coal plant proposals that exceed minimum emission levels.
Representatives with the environmental commission referred all calls to attorneys. Any other calls made went to voice mail.
Eva Hernandez, spokeswoman for the Lone Star Chapter, said the organization rallied to ask the EPA to halt the giving of permits for the construction of any new coal plants in Texas until the environmental commission agrees to adhere to the Clean Air Act.
“Right now, we are in the midst of the second big coal rush in Texas,” Hernandez said. “There are 12 new coal plants that are proposed across the state, more than any other state in the country, which is huge when you see [Texas] is number one in mercury emissions and carbon emissions. It’s important how it impacts our quality of life overall.”
Hernandez said another reason for hosting the event was to raise awareness for the issue affecting Texas citizens.
“It’s pretty clear on how we rank on emissions with the smog forming,” Hernandez said. “When you look at all the cumulative effects from coal, you can notice they are seriously causing health problems within our state. We have an incredible opportunity for Austin to be a leader by investing in solar and wind alternative energy sources.”
City Councilman Chris Riley said he’s optimistic about Austin progressing towards a new era in the way that Austinites utilize energy.
“[City Council] is trying to promote healthier choices as individuals for the environment,” Riley said. “We need to take a step back and see how we drive our power and the ways we move around. I’m very optimistic that this will be a progressive couple of years.”
According to studies conducted by the Sierra Club, Fayette Power Project in Austin releases around 5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The plant emits 2,060 tons of nitrogen oxide in addition to 14,834 tons of sulfur dioxide per year.
Other rally participants included State Representative Eddie Rodriguez, Physicians for Social Responsibility and University organizations including ReEnergize Texas and the Sierra Club student chapter.
“This is an issue important to our youth and especially our University students,” said Brittany McAllister, a member of the Sierra Club student chapter. “We ask City Council to encourage the move beyond [Texas’s] coal dependency and make our future a clean one.”
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