Town hall meeting called to discuss pollution at Parish power plant in Fort Bend County | Houston Public Media
Town hall meeting called to discuss pollution at Parish power plant in Fort Bend County Houston Public Media
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Coal-Fired Power Plant in Fort Bend County Endangers Public Health
Introduction
Environmental advocates are raising concerns about the impact of a coal-fired power plant located in Fort Bend County on public health. They are urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local state representatives to take action to reduce its pollution levels.
Background
The W.A. Parish power plant, owned by NRG Energy, has been identified as the dirtiest coal plant in Texas in 2023. It also ranks second in terms of sulfur dioxide pollution among all power plants in the country. These findings were revealed in a recent study published by Air Alliance Houston.
Health Implications
The pollutants emitted from the plant have been linked to health complications such as asthma attacks and lung cancer. In fact, lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Fort Bend County. A study conducted by Rice University in 2018 estimated that the facility is responsible for approximately 178 premature deaths each year.
Community Impact
“These deaths occur both within the immediate community and in the surrounding region,” said Alondra Torres, the climate justice coordinator for Air Alliance Houston, a local environmental advocacy non-profit.
Town Hall Event
Air Alliance Houston is organizing a town hall event on Saturday to discuss the findings of their recent report titled “Close Parish Coal: How the Dirtiest Coal Plant in Texas Harms Public Health and the Environment, and the Alternatives for Fort Bend.” The organization also aims to mobilize community opposition to the plant’s upcoming permit renewal, which is due on October 31.
Pollution Control Measures
“This is an opportunity for Parish to implement pollution control measures,” Torres stated. “NRG has not made significant efforts to update the facility’s technological structure, which dates back to 1977.”
Role of the EPA
Torres believes that the EPA has the authority to require the plant to adopt more stringent pollution control measures during the permit renewal process. She hopes that the community will have the chance to advocate for these measures in a public hearing.
Call for Public Hearing
“While written comments can always be submitted in opposition to the permit, a public hearing is not mandatory,” Torres explained. “Therefore, a state representative would need to request a public hearing.”
Inviting State Representatives
Air Alliance Houston has invited state representatives from Fort Bend County to attend their town hall event on Saturday. The organization hopes that these representatives will call for a public hearing prior to the plant’s permit renewal.
Event Details
The town hall meeting will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday at 550 Eldridge Rd. in Sugar Land.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of deaths and illnesses related to air pollution (indicator for SDG 3.9)
- Share of renewable energy in the power generation of the plant (indicator for SDG 7.2)
- Air quality in the immediate community and region (indicator for SDG 11.6)
- Integration of climate change measures in the plant’s operations and policies (indicator for SDG 13.2)
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Number of deaths and illnesses related to air pollution. |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | Share of renewable energy in the power generation of the plant. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | Air quality in the immediate community and region. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Integration of climate change measures in the plant’s operations and policies. |
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Source: houstonpublicmedia.org
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