Medical Group: Old Plants Should Be Retrofitted

EAST TEXAS — A medical group says enough is enough when it comes to old, polluting power plants. Dr. Robert Haley with the Texas Medical Association says there’s an effort to exempt the Big Brown, Monticello, and Martin Lake coal powered plants in East Texas from pollution controls. Haley says the plants dirty the air and are a major source of mercury in our lakes and streams. According to Haley, mercury can cause brain damage and is a suspect in the development of autism. He says the plants have been grandfathered from pollution controls for 40 years. Even though they may be sold, says Haley, the facilities were bought away from TXU several years ago and it’s time they were retrofitted.