Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars

Politics really do make strange bedfellows in Fighting Goliath, the story of an unlikely coalition of forces working together in a high-stakes battle for clean air in Texas. At the center of the controversy is a proposal to build 19 coal-fired power plants—a project that was fast-tracked by Gov. Rick Perry. But as word got out and the environmental consequences became apparent, mayors, state legislators, lawyers, ranchers, CEOs, community groups, and ordinary folks rose up in protest on behalf of the 36 municipalities that would be affected, and eventually prevailed—at least to the extent that plans for eight of the facilities have been abandoned. Directors Mat Hames and George Sledge stitch together news clips, interviews with officials and feisty citizen-advocates, and video footage of rallies and town meetings to tell this inspiring story, narrated by actor/environmentalist Robert Redford. In one telling bit, a rancher admits that he had no use for “tree-huggers” until it appeared that one of the smoke-emitting facilities was going to be built in his bucolic countryside setting near Waco. Presenting a solid demonstration of the power of cooperative engagement, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Gardner)