Marchers protest Las Brisas plant
By Mike Baird
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Corpus Chrsiti-Caller-Times
The Clean Economy Coalition held a protest march, from Cole Park’s Oleander Point to City Hall, on Saturday against the proposed Las Brisas power plant. Jim Klein (left) and Chuck Shamel talk near Ocean Drive before the march.
CORPUS CHRISTI — About 200 people gathered Saturday at Oleander Point with signs, banners and posters for a march to City Hall to protest Las Brisas Energy Center.
Company officials have said the proposed power plant on the Corpus Christi Ship Channel would be fueled by petroleum coke, a leftover from oil refining that’s available in abundance locally. They contend the plant would generate 1,200 megawatts of lower cost electricity, enough for 2 million homes, along with offering 80 to 100 permanent jobs and 1,300 jobs during the construction phase.
Environmentalists are concerned about pollution, and medical professionals have voiced concern about possible health risks. Some opponents want the plant to use cleaner technology known as gasification.
A public hearing on the plant is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday in the sixth floor conference room at City Hall, 1201 Leopard St. Anyone may attend the hearing and request to be a party, but only people named as parties can participate.
More information: The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality at 800-687-4040.
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