# Tenaska Coal Plant to Usher in New Era of Carbon Capture and Storage, Water Conservation

*Published:* 2010-04-19
*Author:* Jim Marston

![](http://blogs.edf.org/texasenergyexchange/files//2009/07/jim226.jpg)You’ve heard us say before that we are not champions of coal, but we are realists.

Realists can also be idealists. We still want the same things – cleaner air and water, and clean, sustainable energy – and yet we know that the transition away from fossil fuels as a major energy source will take some time and require interim collaborative solutions.

We seek solutions that will work until the day comes that all energy is clean and non-polluting. So it is, that today we agreed not to oppose the [Tenaska power plant](http://www.tenaskatrailblazer.com/) in Sweetwater, Texas.

Why? Through a legally binding settlement, Tenaska has agreed to capture and sequester at least 85 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by the plant. EDF supports the widespread deployment of technologies like carbon [capture and sequestration](http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=51027) to dramatically reduce CO2 emissions.

Another plus? Tenaska also committed to a limit on the water obtained from sources other than that produced during operation of the plant, not to exceed 2,000 acre-feet of water per year, which is enough to support the most water-efficient cooling design for the plant. Tenaska will use a process called “dry cooling,” which you can learn more about from our [Energy-Water Nexus in Texas](http://www.edf.org/documents/9479_Energy-WaterNexusinTexasApr2009.pdf) report.

These actions signify the end of an era in Texas, and Tenaska is to be commended for taking the first steps. The urgency of climate change dictates the need for such transformational change – and for idealistic yet realistic, solutions.

For more information, read the [EDF release](http://www.edf.org/pressrelease.cfm?contentID=11010).