Student Body External Vice President to Host Educational Forum on Coal Plants

Contact: Ashley Lintelman, Office of Press Secretary for Student Government, (214) 458-5310

A coal plant educational forum, hosted by the office of the student body external vice president (EVP) and the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, in Kayser Auditorium in the Hankamer School of Business.

The forum will inform attendees about the effects of coal plants on the Waco community, as well as allow a time for discussion about the issue.

"At this important time, Baylor students must be aware of the current proposal to add four coal plants to Central Texas," said Allan Marshall, student body external vice president and a senior political science major from Cuney, Texas. "We hope this forum will be educational, and our desire is for students to understand the current situation."

After meeting with Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy, Marshall said the EVP cabinet realized coal plants were a serious issue affecting everyone living in Waco, and it was vital that Baylor students to take part in this issue.

DuPuy said she realizes students might not live in Waco for the rest of their lives, but the decisions made today would impact the lives of Waco residents and Baylor students for the next 50 years.

"This is the most difficult challenge the Waco community has every faced," DuPuy said. "With March 9 fast approaching, there's not much time for discussion."

Marshall and members of his cabinet developed the group COALition in order to help inform students about the issue.

"We're really excited by how many students have shown support for the group," said Bryan Fonville, a sophomore business major from Garland and cofounder of COALition. "The group is not taking a stance for or against the proposed coal plants, but rather focusing on education."

Baylor's Student Senate passed a resolution supporting Rep. Doc Anderson's proposed moratorium. The moratorium would delay the vote to approve the construction of new coal plants in Texas by 180 days and allow for proper debate in the Texas House of Representatives.

The resolution does not take a stance but declares the lack of clear information on the effects of coal plants as a reason to delay the decision.

"This is the first tangible sign of support we've gathered," Fonville said. "We're really excited about the resolution and the potential impact it could have in Austin. I think this bill accurately expresses Baylor students' concerns about the coal issue and their support for the moratorium,"

For more information, contact Marshall at (254) 710- 4703 or Allan_Marshall@baylor.edu.