A new coal-burning plant could bring hundreds of jobs to the natural state.  But one local group says it could also bring toxins and chemicals that could be harmful to Arkansans health, and the environment.

Arkansas already has a few coal-burning plants, and now SWEPCO is planning on building a new one near Texarkana.

The John W. Turk coal burning power plant in southwest Arkansas would provide electricity for around 600,000 homes if built, but the Sierra club says power isn't the only thing it will bring.

"Coal fire power plants emit carbon dioxide, which is a main component of global warming," Glen Hooks Regional Representative for The Sierra Club said.  
 

Sierra Club representative Glen Hooks says it also emits poisons, such as mercury, which causes birth defects.

"It gets in your water and in the soil and can be real bad for Arkansans," Hooks said.  

That's why he, and other Arkansans are working to stop the plant before it comes. Wednesday night they met to make video postcards to send to the governor, asking not to bring any more coal burning plants.

"We are the natural state. It's not the place where we need to put more carbon monoxide and more poisons into our air and water," Hooks said.

But SWEPCO representatives disagree.  They say the plant meets the state's environmental standards, and will bring around 1,400 jobs to southwest Arkansas.

"We understand their position. We also believe coal has to be a part of America’s energy mix," SWEPCO representative Mike Young said.

They say by using something called ultra supercritical generation in this plant, they're reducing emissions and fuel consumption.

"We believe the plant is a valuable resource. It will bring a lot of jobs to this area. We have a long record at SWEPCO of environmental stewardship," Young said.