Texas currently ranks the 10th worst state in the nation when it comes to exposing residents to toxic air pollution from coal-fired power plants, according to the latest analysis released by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
The NRDC data show:
* Texas’ electricity sector ranks 10th in the nation for industrial toxic air pollution for the year 2010, emitting nearly 10.5 million pounds of harmful chemicals, which accounted for 25% of state pollution and about 3% of toxic pollution from all U.S. power plants.
* Texas ranks 1st (worst) among all states for industrial mercury air pollution from power plants, with 12,740 pounds emitted in 2010, which accounted for 78% of the state mercury air pollution and 19% of U.S. electricity sector mercury pollution.
The states on the “Toxic 20” list are from worst to best:
1. Kentucky
2. Ohio
3. Pennsylvania
4. Indiana
5. West Virginia
6. Florida
7. Michigan
8. North Carolina
9. Georgia
10. Texas
11. Tennessee
12. Virginia
13. South Carolina
14. Alabama
15. Missouri
16. Illinois
17. Mississippi
18. Wisconsin
19. Maryland
20. Delaware