"Increased levels of mercury in our waters - primarily from coal fired power plants - have forced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to warn pregnant women and any woman who might want to become pregnant to avoid or limit fish consumption. This year alone, an estimated 630,000 children will be born to women with unsafe blood levels of mercury, as determined by the EPA. This in utero exposure can contribute to severe mental retardation, cerebral palsy, deafness, blindness, and seizures."

-Dr. Kimberly Carter, Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Austin, TX

"Mercury gets into our waterways and into our fish and the contamination has made fish unsafe to eat in 12 water bodies in Texas. We should protect the health of the citizens of Texas, especially our children, by reducing pollution and preventing additional mercury emissions."

— Ed Parten, President of Texas Black Bass Unlimited, Houston, TX

"Jo and I have been farming and ranching on this land for 45 years. Several of the proposed coal plants would be very close to us. The pollution from existing coal burning power plants already puts our health at risk. We're both cancer survivors and both suffer from asthma. More coal plants will only make it worse. The pollution is not good for our crops, cattle or wildlife either. The Texas Farm Bureau policy is that no new coal plant permits be issued unless they meet the lowest achievable emission rate (LAER) standard. Coal plants should be no more polluting than new natural gas fired plants with the newest technology and they're right. We're opposed to the proposed coal plants, and urge others to join in to protect our land and our lives."

— Robert and Jo Cervenka, Ranchers, Reisel, TX