September 2, 2008

Movie spotlights community activism

The Spectrum, St. George, Utah

Citizens for Dixie’s Future’s is sponsoring a free showing of the film “Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars” at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at Grace Episcopal Church, 1072 E. 900 South.

Everyone is invited to attend this inspirational and empowering film, produced by the Redford Center at the Sundance Preserve and narrated by Robert Redford. The film chronicles the story of 36 Texas cities that banded together in 2006 to defeat a massive fast-tracked plan to build 19 coal-fired power plants in east Texas.

The film highlights the leadership of 17 Texas mayors who created a coalition of ranchers, community groups, legislators, business owners and citizens who were able to change public opinion throughout the state of Texas and to influence a proposal that reduced the amount of new plants down to three.
Citizens for Dixie’s future believes that many aspects of the film mirror what is happening in Washington County associated with the Toquop coal-fired power plant being proposed across the Nevada state line. Toquop is still awaiting government permits for the plant site including an air quality permit and water use permit.
Following the 30-minute film there will be an opportunity for the audience to hear candidates for federal, state and county offices discuss their perspective on how local leadership can help meet the challenge of providing energy for our community in a way that the CDF group believes support the economy and protects our public health.

Joining the candidates, Mayor Pat Cluff from Springdale will discuss the importance of protecting the air quality around Zion National Park.

The St. George screening of “Fighting Goliath” is part of an eight-city initiative to boost public awareness of the issues of conventional coal-fired power plants. Residents who are unable to attend the St. George showing on Sept. 9 may see the film 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10 in Mesquite at the Red Hills Cinema, 790 W. Pioneer Blvd.