"Texas is not Kentucky. Or West Virginia. That's clear to everyone.

But there's conflict over what these distinctions mean when it comes to President Barack Obama's plan to sharply reduce climate-altering pollution from coal-fired power plants, the nation's leading source of carbon dioxide emissions.

All three states burn a lot of coal, but Texas says it shouldn't be forced to make deeper emissions cuts than Kentucky and West Virginia. The reason: It's already moving toward more climate-friendly electricity through the use of natural gas and wind, while the other two states remain devoted to coal."

Matthew Tresaugue reports for the Houston Chronicle December 28, 2014. [2]