Report: Texas greenhouse gas emissions down

DALLAS — While Texas maintains a firm grip on the dubious title of the nation's most prolific industrial polluter, an environmental group's report Thursday found that wind power and other cleaner energy sources have helped cut emissions linked to global warming in the state.Environment Texas analyzed the most recent U.S. Department of Energy statistics that show the state is still the leader in carbon-dioxide emissions but cut such pollution by 2 percent between 2004 and 2007. In that same four-year period, emissions around the country went up 0.7 percent and increased in 33 states, according to the report."We can drive the economy without driving up pollution," said Environment Texas Director Luke Metzger. "By moving to clean energy, we can cut pollution, help jump-start the economy and create millions of new clean energy jobs around the country."The group's analysis covered 2004-2007, but emissions in Texas actually began dropping in 2002, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Carbon dioxide emissions in the state have dropped 5 percent between 2002 and 2007.Finding the balance between the environment and the economy is a constant struggle in Texas. The state relies heavily on the energy industry and has more coal-fired power plants, chemical plants and oil refineries than any other. And with a rapidly growing population, there's always need for more power.Environment Texas, a citizen-funded environmental advocacy group, says less coal has been burned recently thanks to increased wind power, natural gas use and improved efficiency at power plants. Texas produces more wind power than any other state.The state is not required to regulate carbon dioxide emissions, which come mostly from coal-fired plants and vehicles, but the climate bill pending in Congress calls for cuts of 20 percent for carbon dioxide polluters by 2020.The report says Texas has the clean energy capacity to make those larger cuts and urges passage of the measure. The House version narrowly passed in June, and a similar version fac

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