Alondra Torres
Climate Justice Coordinator: Coal Pollution
The last coal-energy plant in Texas (W.A. Parish) is just a few miles from Houston in Fort Bend County. This facility emits climate-warming CO2 and hazardous levels of particulate matter.
The #CloseParishCoal campaign (CPC) is for the community and by the community! We believe that no matter what we look like or what zip code we’re in, we are worth every effort and form of protection from pollution and disaster so families can thrive in this city.
Our goal is for NRG Energy to retire and decommission the W.A. Parish coal-fired power plant in Fort Bend County (2500 Y. U. Jones Rd, Richmond, TX 77469), which has deteriorated the public health and natural environment of our city for decades. NRG can ensure a cleaner and safer future for Texans by closing the four coal-fired units of the power plant. This outdated facility is one of the worst polluters in the nation. According to a study from Rice University scientists, this plant is responsible for more than 178 premature deaths a year.
Please join us in saying no to 5 more years of Parish's pollution by joining us at a public meeting held by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas' Environmental Regulator. The meeting will be held on January 23 at 6 PM at the Reading Junior High School Cafeteria.
CPC worked boundlessly in 2024 to research our city’s concerns with energy production, lead education efforts and advocate for local solutions. Beginning with NRG Texas Power’s Quarter Four Earning’s Conference where we asked stakeholders to divest from this unprofitable and unreliable coal plant. NRG is one of the main sponsors of the Houston Rodeo, a beloved staple and time of celebration for the city. This past year, CPC asked NRG to make the Rodeo even better by closing its toxic coal units to deliver safe and reliable energy.
Parish has consistently failed to provide energy during key environmental disasters. At least one of Parish’s four coal units failed during Hurricane Harvey, Winter Storm Uri, and extreme heat events. One unit can power up to 125,350 homes. NRG has the chance to lower bills, protect our environment, & strengthen the electric grid.
According to a survey by the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, one third of Houstonians said outdoor air quality is a top environmental concern and about 40 percent are worried about nearby pollution. The vision for a healthier and more sustainable Houston has amassed over 600 petition signatures. CPC’s petition demands cleaner air and water from NRG– most signatures have been collected through face to face interactions at tabling and health-related events.
Last year was also monumental for the EPA, which finalized a suite of federal protections to reduce greenhouse gasses and other air, water, and land pollution from coal-fired power plants. These critical safeguards are set to improve the air and water quality throughout the Houston region but especially in the Fort Bend community due to the presence of W.A. Parish. This win was announced a week after CPC hosted an Earth Day town hall where the EPA Region 6 office offered solutions to holding NRG accountable for Parish pollution.
The EPA’s standards will require the Parish coal plant to implement improved Particulate Matter (PM) reduction technology. PM pollution is associated with a range of health risks, including asthma, cancer, heart and lung ailments, and neurological problems. Additionally, the Parish plant will face stricter rules addressing water pollution and coal ash contamination.
Our work has gained the attention of our local elected officials who are committed to protecting the health of Fort Bend County residents as well as the integrity of the TCEQ permitting process which must include proper community outreach efforts. TCEQ has no formal obligation to hold a public meeting for the community to ask questions and provide comments unless the request is made by a State Representative or by an overwhelming show of interest by residents. Representative Suleman Lalani heeded the concerns of the community and boldly requested a permit hearing for permit 7706A which would allow Parish to emit 51,620 pounds of pollution.
CPC continues to support communities through these climate disasters and the recovery process through education, research, and resource building for and with frontline communities. While W.A. Parish continues to pollute, CPC continues to prioritize people and the planet. The city cannot afford to allow NRG Energy to continue profiting and polluting, exacerbating the effects of these weather patterns year after year.
CPC efforts to close Parish have been leveraged to support other air pollution advocacy efforts, such as the formation of the Rosharon Task Force. Rosharon for Clean Air is a community advocacy group that formed following the opposition of a concrete crusher by Julpit Inc. Air Alliance Houston, CPC, and the Rosharon community opposed the cumulative impact of Parish and the newly proposed industry that is becoming more common as Fort Bend County grows.
Say no to 5 more years of Parish's pollution
The W.A. Parish plant has had three violations since 2022, primarily related to continuous failures to control visible and significant quantities of air pollution from leaving the plant. Following these events, they also routinely failed to notify regulators about their pollution and emissions, highlighting the public’s demand for transparency. This is the best time to come face to face with NRG and advocate for an improved air monitoring system to protect against violations.
A public hearing for the discussion of the Federal Operating Permit will take place on January 23, 2025 at 6PM at Reading Junior High School. This permit creates the guidelines for the operation of the facility for the next 5 years.
Please join us for a Coffee and Change to prepare for the hearing! We will write comments, make posters, and discuss our campaign strategy further.