-(U. Texas-Austin)
U-WIRE (June 10, 2004)

(U-WIRE) AUSTIN, Texas -- Air pollution causes more deaths each year than drunk driving or murders, according to a report released Wednesday by Clear the Air, an air pollution watchdog group.

The report, titled "Dirty Air, Dirty Power," says pollution released from power plants is deadly. Fine particles released by power plants cause 23,600 fatalities every year, including 1,160 in Texas, the report says.

"As a physician, I find this report very impressive and well-researched, but also very troubling," said Lisa Doggett, daughter of U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin.

Doggett spoke at the release of the report on behalf of the Austin chapter of the Physicians for Social Responsibility. The organization, along with the Texas Public Interest Research Group, endorsed the report.

Aside from the deaths due to air pollution, Doggett noted that the report shows an additional 38,000 heart attacks, 554,000 asthma attacks and 16,000 cases of chronic bronchitis can be attributed to power-plant pollution. More than 3 million lost work days are attributable to power-plant pollution, she said.

"You don't have to be a doctor to know that polluted air is bad for your lungs," Doggett said.

Speakers at the report's release said the report, which is based on research done by Environmental Protection Agency air quality consultants using standard EPA techniques, gives the most solid empirical evidence that can be used as a basis for further calls for reform.

City of Austin-run power plants burn natural gas, according to Austin Energy's Web site. These plants are cleaner than their coal-burning counterparts, and the city is also aggressively pursuing renewable energy sources. Austin Energy is, however, a partial owner of the Fayette Power Project, located in La Grange, which burns coal, and according to "Dirty Air, Dirty Power," is responsible for as many as 44 premature deaths per year.

The City of Austin and the Lower Colorado River Authority, which run the Fayette Power Plant, are both among the most environmentally conscious energy producers in the state and nation, said Austin Energy spokesman Ed Clark. At least $130 million is being spent on pollution controls for the facility, even though it already meets current clean air regulations, Clark said.

LCRA spokeswoman Robbie Searcy said the renovations will greatly reduce emissions, including a 90-percent decrease in sulfur dioxide emissions. The LCRA is committed to going "above and beyond" governmental restrictions due to its commitment to the environment, Searcy said, rather than pressure from scathing reports such as "Dirty Air, Dirty Power."

The report is available online at www.cleartheair.org/dirtypower , and the Environmental Protection Agency Web site can be accessed at www.epa.gov .

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