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Reality

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PrintEmailArticle ToolsPage 1 of 1 Burning coal for energy causes more harm to the environment than it is worth. Gov. Rick Perry and Texas utility companies are in favor of 16 newly proposed coal-fired plants. Coal has been used in the past and has been proven dependable. Environmentalists, ranchers and many Texas mayors are concerned about air quality.

Texas emits the most greenhouse gases of any state. Coal is a plentiful and cheap energy source, which is partially what makes it so appealing. However, burning coal pollutes the air tremendously. Dallas Mayor Laura Miller and Houston Mayor Bill White object to the proposal along with 15 other mayors and about one-third of all Texans.

According to National Public Radio, Miller wants a cleaner way to produce energy with coal. The Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle is 70 percent to 90 percent cleaner than the present method of burning coal. Unfortunately, it is more expensive. Perry is in favor of creating energy by burning coal and says that the IGCC is not ready for Texas. According to NPR, he said that it is a good idea but Texas needs energy now and cannot wait for new systems to be put into place. The decaying state of the environment cannot wait either.

Freshman premajor Lauren Wright said, "It is important to think about the long-term consequences and not the immediate benefits of burning coal."

IGCC is newer and better technology. It would be foolish not to take advantage of cleaner technology in order to protect the air that cannot be fixed once it is destroyed. There is no reason to put off using a cleaner burning coal method, especially since it is already available.

Sophomore political science and Spanish major Ali Lewis said, "I think more time and money should be invested in finding more efficient and environmentally friendly sources of energy."

It is important for citizens to be

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