A coal-fired power plant set to open next year in Texas has agreed to cut mercury and smog-causing emissions and invest in clean energy projects as part of a legal settlement with environmental groups.
The Sierra Club, Public Citizen and the Sandy Creek Energy Station in Riesel filed a consent decree Monday in federal court. The environmental groups say the deal ends any outstanding legal matters between the parties.
According to the agreement, Sandy Creek will slash its emissions and invest $400,000 in clean energy projects, including the installation of solar panels on a local school.
The Sandy Creek facility near Waco is one of nine in various stages of development. Texas already has 19 coal-fired plants, more than any state. Texas leads the nation in greenhouse gas pollution.
