|
|
Article: Leaving Emerald City
- Article from:
- The Texas Observer
- Article date:
- September 18, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Texas Democracy Foundation Sep 18, 2009. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
IS AUSTIN'S NEW ENERGY PLAN VISIONARY OR OLD-SCHOOL?
On Highway 71 near La Grange, the Fayette Power Project rises from the blackland prairie like an industrialized Emerald City, its 500-foot stacks casting a long shadow across the landscape. Up close, the 1,600-megawatt, coal-burning behemoth is even more impressive.
In August the Observer, along with a couple of dozen Austin environmentalists, toured the plant, co-owned by the Lower Colorado River Authority and the city of Austin. Goofily dressed in protective eyewear, blue hardhats, and thigh-high rubber boots, we followed the LCRA employees around the 10-acre coal campus.
Every few days, a train arrives from Wyoming bearing 120plus ...