Texas Makes Top Ten List of Polluters

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Texas is among the top ten states in the country for pollution from power plants.

Texas has earned the unfortunate distinction of being among the worst polluting states in the country when it comes to electricity generation. That’s according to a new report out from the environmental group National Resources Defense Council.

Texas was ranked tenth among states that released the most toxic emissions from power plants in 2010, and first among states in mercury pollution. The report says emissions have increased three percent since the previous year, and takes aim at lawmakers, many of whom can be found in Texas, who have fought tougher emissions standards from the Environmental Protection Agency.

All told, electricity generation comprises 25 percent of toxic emissions in Texas according to the report, with the chemical sector responsible for 40 percent.  While the state is listed among the most polluting, no individual Texas power plant was among the top ten most polluting in the country. The report was compiled using data released annually from the EPA.