FROM THE GROUND UP: STRUGGLING MUSICIAN DEALS WITH OBSTACLES EARLY IN CAREER PAGE 5 ROUNDING UP CAMPUS NEWS SINCE 1900 THE BAYLOR LARIAT WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2007 Judge blocks Perry order Court order stops permit fast-tracking for energy plants By Kelley Shannon The Associated Press AUSTIN — A judge on Tues- day blocked Gov. Rick Perry’s executive order fast-tracking the permitting process for proposed coal-fired plants and ordered that state hearing administra- tors reconsider environmental- ists’ request for a delay. A major hearing on the coal plant permitting is scheduled to begin today. But lawyers for sev- eral environmental groups ar- gued before state District Judge Melea Burke/Lariat staff Stephen Yelenosky that Texas Attorney Stephen Susman addresses the audience Tuesday at the Texas Clean Air Cities Coali- director of the Center of Energy and Environmental Resources at the University of Texas, showing and Oklahoma citizens opposed tion members’ meeting at the Waco Convention Center. Susman presented a study by David Allen, the possible negative effects of proposed coal-fired energy plants in Texas. to the plants were at a disadvan- tage because there hadn’t been enough time to prepare. They claimed the governor’s order was unconstitutional, and the judge agreed that the plain- Coal opposition gathers in Waco tiffs were likely to prevail in their argument. Yelenosky’s temporary in- New study reveals The group’s legal represen- federal ozone standards. a speaker at the meeting, also to be used. junction did not cancel the plant emissions could tative, attorney Stephen Sus- “What does it matter?” Sus- cited air pollution and mercury Miller said the permit hear- hearing, but he said administra- man, presented its case against man asked. “It matters because poisoning as potential worries. ings for six of the plants are tive judges should reconsider harm local economy the proposal, and the results of the legal requirements that She said that Texas is the No. slated to begin today, but the the schedule. of a study advising against the come from this.” 1 producer of carbon dioxide hearings may be affected by Dis- “He basically wants to liber- By Kate Boswell building of the four coal plants He explained that there are and produces nearly as much trict Judge Stephen Yelenosky’s ate them from the executive or- Staff writer in McLennan County was federal laws that require cities as California, Florida and New Tuesday ruling that blocked der,” said plaintiffs’ attorney Jim shown. that exceed ozone standards to York combined. Gov. Rick Perry’s executive or- Blackburn. He said the judge Hundreds of Baylor and The study, conducted by Da- reduce their ozone by a certain “You can do nothing, or der to fast-track the permitting declared the Republican Perry’s Waco community members, as vid Allen, director of the Center date. If the ozone level is not you can do something, and process for the plants. order illegal and nonbinding. well as concerned citizens from of Energy and Environmental reduced, the cities face costly that’s why we’re here,” she said. The judge ruled that opposi- “No one should be surprised across the state, gathered Tues- Resources at the University of consequences, such as days “TCACC was formed to do tion to the coal plants in Texas that a single liberal Austin judge day night at the Waco Conven- Texas, showed the projected when citizens are not allowed something.” and Oklahoma had not been would rule against Gov. Perry tion Center for a meeting of the ozone levels for the Waco area to drive. Miller said the coalition is given enough time to voice and his efforts to increase en- Texas Clean Air Cities Coali- for the year 2009. Allen and “Stores can’t open until not only asking for the new coal their opinions. ergy capacity in Texas,” Perry tion, a group formed to battle his team concluded that the noon,” Susman said. “Factories plants to be cleaner, but also for Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy spokesman Robert Black said the proposed construction of construction of the coal plants are not allowed to operate.” the old coal plants to be made in a statement. “We will take 18 new coal plants in Texas. would cause Waco to exceed Dallas Mayor Laura Miller, cleaner and for safer methods Please see COAL , page 6 a close look at the ruling and make a determination on how we will proceed.” The Texas Attorney General’s Office, which represented Perry Civil rights leader brings story to Baylor in the case, referred all com- ments on the judge’s ruling to the governor’s office. Congressman to speak planner of the event. protest movement which brought about ments from his speech, SoRelle said. All sides in the case expected The talk, titled “A Morning with U.S. the desegregation of Nashville lunch Lewis was badly beaten on “Bloody the hearing to convene as sched- with students, faculty Congressman John Lewis,” is the second counters, said Dr. James SoRelle, His- Sunday,” when he and the Rev. Hosea uled and for the request for a de- about black history part of Baylor’s cel- tory professor. Williams led about lay to be raised at that time. ebration, which be- From 1963 to 525 marchers from At issue in the hearing is Dal- By Jon Schroeder gan Monday with a 1966, Lewis chaired “He literally laid his Selma, Ala., to the las-based TXU Corp.’s proposal Staff writer showing and mod- the Student Nonviolent state capitol in Mont- to build coal-fired plants in erated discussion Coordinating Commit- body on the line gomery. According to North, East and Central Texas, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., is com- of Bridge to Freedom, tee. on behalf of this Library of Congress including four in McLennan ing to Baylor to celebrate Black History a civil rights docu- He also played a movement.” documents, the group Country. Month. He will speak from 9 to 10:30 mentary which key role in the 1963 was brutally assaulted “We’re obviously disap- a.m. today in 127 Sheila and Walter Um- originally aired March on Washington by state troopers and pointed in this decision,” TXU phrey Law Center. as part of the PBS for Jobs and Freedom. Dr. James SoRelle deputies. spokeswoman Kim Morgan Rep. Chet Edwards will attend the series Eyes on the Lewis is the only sur- History professor “There are a lot of said. “Every day of delay means speech, which will focus on the civil Prize. viving speaker of people who advocate that meeting the goal of provid- rights movement and issues relevant Lewis “It is an oppor- 10 who spoke at the civil rights, but John ing newer, cleaner power gen- to the black community, according to tunity to recognize march. Lewis was on the front lines,” SoRelle eration is denied.” a Tuesday press release put out by Ed- the civil rights movement,” Wilson said. He spoke directly before Martin Lu- said. “He literally laid his body on the TXU contends the coal wards’ office. “It’s made us all a better society.” ther King Jr. delivered his famous “I line on behalf of this movement. I think plants will lower utility costs “We have invited (Lewis) to talk Lewis has represented Georgia’s 5th Have a Dream” speech. a lot of people forget that.” and help provide needed power about what’s important to him,” said District since 1986. He’s well known for Viewed as a radical at the time, Lewis Dr. Patricia Wilson, a law professor and being a “key student leader” of the sit-in was asked to remove controversial seg- Please see LEWIS, page 6 Please see VOTE, page 6 British Prime Minister Tony Blair, left, greets Blair to announce withdrawal timetable Afghanistan President Hamid By Thomas Wagner weren’t further identified. operation in Baghdad or the cure video link Tuesday morn- Karzai on Feb. The Associated Press The BBC said Blair was not war with the Sunnis in Anbar ing, and Bush views Britain’s 14 at Down- expected to say when the rest of province west of the Iraqi capi- troop cutbacks as “a sign of suc- ing Street in LONDON — Prime Minister Britain’s forces would leave Iraq. tal. However, Iraqi forces could cess” in Iraq, said U.S. National London. Blair Tony Blair will announce today Currently, Britain has about have a tough time maintaining Security Council spokesman is expected to a new timetable for the with- 7,100 soldiers there. security in mostly Shiite south- Gordon Johndroe. announce today drawal of British troops from Britain has long been the ern Iraq, including Basra city. “The president is grateful for a timetable for Iraq, with 1,500 to return home most important coalition mem- Blair’s Downing Street office the support of the British forces the withdrawal in several weeks, the British ber in Iraq after the United refused to comment on the BBC in the past and into the future,” of British troops from Iraq. Broadcasting Corp. reported. States. But Blair knows the Brit- report, which also said Blair Johndroe said in Washington. Blair will also tell the House ish public and politicians from would tell the Commons that “While the United Kingdom is of Commons during his regular his own Labour Party want the if the situation worsens on the maintaining a robust force in weekly appearance before it that troops out as quickly as possi- ground on Iraq, his new game southern Iraq, we’re pleased a total of about 3,000 British ble and don’t want to see Britain plan could change.