Compliance with environmental laws and regulations remains the cornerstone of TXU's environmental efforts. TXU's regulated emissions are in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations. While compliance is a challenging task, it is also the foundation that TXU builds on every day in an effort to go above and beyond what is required. In 2005, TXU created over 8,000 separate reports for a variety of government agencies and for record-keeping purposes. These documents included air emission and water discharge reports as well as reclamation and mining reports. Obtaining, modifying, and renewing environmental permits are also critical efforts for TXU. During 2005, the company filed 143 separate environmental permit applications. (view chart)
RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
The company's commitment to education provides essential scientific environmental research, enhances teaching methods and skills, and helps participants understand the connection between energy and the Earth. The centerpiece of the company's educational and research partnerships is the Environmental Research Program, with its research center at the Big Brown lignite coal mining and generating facility near Fairfield, Texas. TXU began this unique program in 1971 to study the little-known effects on the environment of mining lignite coal and using it to generate electricity. With financial support from TXU, an independent steering committee of environmental experts approves research topics for top graduate students. Over the past 35 years, the committee has designated more than $4.2 million provided by TXU to fund research by 112 graduate students.
In addition, TXU sponsors successful teacher education summer programs associated with the University of Texas at Arlington, the University of Texas at Austin, and the Texas Mining and Reclamation Association. Officials from regulatory agencies, the energy industry, and environmental organizations teach about the relationship between energy and the environment in an unbiased climate. Since 1992, TXU has also worked with the business community and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality under the Mickey Leland Environmental Intern Program to provide summer work opportunities for more than 40 minority, female, and financially disadvantaged college students, including one in 2005.
