RIESEL – Opponents of a coal-fired power plant proposed here urged state officials Thursday to slow down the permitting process by forcing project officials to prove the plant would not harm the Brazos River with its wastewater.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality public meeting on LS Power's wastewater permit drew about 100 people, including coal plant supporters and opponents. Leaders of TPOWER, a local environmental group that is fighting the plant, asked for a contested case hearing, which would take the permit before a state administrative law judge in a trial-like proceeding.

The proposed TCEQ permit would regulate the water that LS Power runs through its cooling towers as well as stormwater that runs off its piles of coal. The industrial water LS Power would use would be treated wastewater effluent from the regional sewer plant in Waco. The water ultimately would be treated and discharged into the Brazos River, and LS would have to ensure that it caused “no significant degradation” to the river.

The opponents said the permit was too vague and would be difficult to enforce. They also said it doesn't take into account all the potential water pollution the plant could cause, including the possibility of contaminants leaching into groundwater, or airborne pollutants getting into surface water. They asked TCEQ to require an environmental impact study to look at those dangers.

LS Power and TCEQ officials listened to the public comments but did not have an opportunity to respond. TCEQ officials have 60 days to respond to the concerns in writing. After that, the TCEQ will accept formal requests for a contested case hearing.

The battle against LS Power has so far focused mainly on air quality concerns, but opponents Thursday said they were also concerned about pollution in the Brazos River.

“It's a devil's bargain: Let's ruin our health, our quality of life and the beauty of our land for cheap energy,” said Bruce Allen of Waco.

But some Riesel-area residents urged TCEQ to expedite the permit, saying it would benefit the community and electric consumers.

“I implore you to act quickly on this,” said Walter Kuehl, a Riesel banker. “It's imperative that power providers have competition.”

William Barker, who works at the Texas Genco coal power plant in Jewett, said the opponents were unfairly vilifying the power plant company, which he said is willing to make a long-term investment in Riesel.

“Nobody's here to rape the land and run off with the profits,” he said. “They're going to live in this community. We don't want to pollute our own land.”

jbsmith@wacotrib.com 

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