BASTROP, Texas (AP) - Plant experts, scientists, environmentalists and ranchers believe sulfur dioxide pollution from coal-fired power plants is slowly killing vegetation across Texas.

Sulfur dioxide has been known to kill vegetation in other parts of the country. In Texas, the deaths of pecan trees, oaks, elms and willows have been documented.

In Central Texas, not far from a power plant operated by the Lower Colorado River Authority, pecan growers say thousands of trees have died and nut production has steadily decreased since the plant began operating in 1979. After consulting experts, the growers believe the plant's sulfur dioxide emissions are to blame.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has toured some of the farms and is reviewing the data.

The plant says there is no scientific evidence the emissions killed the trees.

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