TXU is Absolutely Losing Control: Dallas Says Sayonara to Proposed Coal Plants

In September, TXU (NYSE: TXU) announced the construction of new coal and nuclear plants in Texas.  Soon after, TXU issued a news release listing all the communities in support of the new plan.  I've never heard of some of the communities on that list, so I'm wondering what the total population is for those places.  In response to TXU's plan, Dallas decided to join a growing list of heavy-hitting cities to protest the construction of 17 new coal-fired plants in Texas. 

Today, Dallas City Council approved a resolution to join the Texas Cities for Clean Air Coalition (and threw $10,000 into the pot as membership fees).  Here are some of the other cities on the Clean Air Coalition:  Arlington, Cedar Hill, Coppell, Dallas, DeSoto, Duncanville, El Paso, Fort Worth, Frisco, Hillsboro, Houston, Irving, Lancaster, McKinney, Plano, Rockwall, and Wylie.  Hum...that pretty much sounds like the entire DFW metroplex! 

So I'm thinking TXU has a problem.  This coalition is going to make its case for cleaner air and cleaner power plant technology to the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality.  TXU, here's the thing...if you want to maintain your position as an energy provider in Texas, you're going to have to take another approach.  Texas is kicking butt and taking names in the wind energy department (#1 in capacity).  I know, you're buying tons of it.  We've got tons of options available for solar energy generation, too.  People are starting to realize that there are costs to dirty energy and a short-term focus on cheap prices (and capacity expansion) isn't the answer.

In conclusion, these small communities want cheaper electricity and TXU wants to provide it.  TXU thinks coal plants will contribute to cleaner skies, but it looks like the Clean Air Coalition disagrees.  This is going to be interesting...

EXTRA LINKS:
TXU - The Reliable Texas Power Project
TXU Website
Dallas City Hall
Judges Reject TXU Plant (DMN Story)