FORT WORTH, Texas, March 1 TXU will begin construction on a new coal plant in Central Texas as soon as possible, since recently receiving approval.A federal judge approved a settlement between Alcoa, TXU and the U.S. Department of Justice, the Star-Telegram reported. The plant will be at Alcoa's aluminum smelter in Rockdale, about 60 miles northeast of Austin. The new unit, known as Sandow 5, will replace three old coal-fired generators.An estimated 750 jobs will be created through the project and it's expected to bring about $300 million per year to the surrounding area. The plant at Rockdale is one of the three that will still be built after a deal under the proposed buyout would cancel the other eight planned coal plants.Opponents of the Rockdale plant had sued Alcoa. The plaintiff, Environmental Defense, claimed the company released illegal amounts of air pollution from the plant during a 17-year period. The settlement allows Alcoa to avoid applying for a new permit but it must pay the U.S. government $859,000 in penalties from a 2003 settlement. Alcoa and TXU must also cut emission rates for nitrogen oxide by 20 percent from the rate called for in the 2003 settlement.The two companies may also have to limit their sulfur dioxide emissions from the Sandow unit, according to Jim Marston, regional director of plaintiff Environmental Defense. The plaintiff groups have not decided whether or not they will appeal the judge's ruling.Copyright 2007 by UPI
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