Plants brace for new rules
Post on: 2011-08-30 By: admin
The Belle River Power Plant in East China is one of two coal-fired facilities in St. Clair County./BOB GROSS/TIMES HERALD
By MAUREEN GROPPEGannett Washington Bureau
»Toxic pollution: The Environmental Protection Agency is required under a court decree to finalize by Nov. 16 the first national rules reducing mercury and other toxic emissions from both new and existing coal and oil-fired power plants. Power plants account for about half of U.S. mercury emissions, which can cause neurological defects and other problems in very low concentrations. People are primarily exposed by eating contaminated fish. Michigan regularly advises residents which fish from local waters are safer to eat.Although 56% of coal-fired power plants would already meet the proposed standards, these rules are the most costly of those that have been finalized or are close to being completed. The cost for all plants to comply would raise the average consumer's monthly electricity bill by $3 to $4, according to the EPA.The Michigan Municipal Electric Association, which represents public power companies, has asked the EPA to revise its proposed rule to lessen the "disproportionate burdens on small, municipally-owned utility units that are not significant sources of mercury or other hazardous air pollutants."» Cross-state pollution and ground level ozone: In response to a 2008 court decision, the EPA finalized in July rules requiring Michigan and 26 other states to cut power plant emissions that cause air quality problems in downwind states. The EPA says the impact on utility bills will vary by states but are "well within the range of normal price fluctuations." It estimates that between 400 to 2,000 premature deaths will be avoided in Michigan in 2014 because of reduced pollution.The EPA is also expected to decide soon whether to tighten national air quality standards to reduce ozone from power plants and other sources. Depending on the new level allowed, nearly two dozen Michigan counties could be out of compliance and face restrictions on business activities until ozone levels are reduced. Businesses groups argue that the EPA doesn't have to rewrite the rules until 2013. But EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson has said the current standards are legally indefensible and the American Lung Association has threatened legal action unless new rules are proposed soon.» Greenhouse gases: Congress last year couldn't agree on whether or how to restrict greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and other sources. About 40% of Michigan's greenhouse gases come from electricity generation. Because Congress hasn't acted, the EPA is proposing its own regulations in response to a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that the EPA had not only the power, but the obligation to regulate greenhouse gases. The EPA is expected to propose draft regulations for power plants in September and finalize standards by May 2012.» Coal combustion waste: The EPA is considering increased restrictions on how power plants can dispose of the waste left after burning coal for electricity, one of the largest waste streams generated in the U.S. The agency decided in 2000 that coal ash did not have to be treated as a hazardous waste. But the EPA is reconsidering that in response to a 1 billion-gallon spill of coal ash sludge in 2008 in Tennessee that damaged or destroyed homes. Michigan ranks 21st in the production of coal waste. The EPA proposed new rules last year and is expected to make a final decision early next year.» Cooling water for power plants: Environmental groups successfully sued the EPA to force a reduction in the damage to fish and other aquatic organisms that get drawn into cooling water systems of large power plants and factories. Power plants are the nation's largest water users. Under the changes the EPA proposed in April, which have to be finalized by next summer, some plants would have to change their cooling systems so fish are gently returned to the water, or so they can swim away easier when water is being drawn.
WASHINGTON -- Michigan residents and businesses could face higher electric bills, power shortages and job losses when a series of new federal regulations are expected to hit coal-fired power plants in the coming months and years, the power industry claims.Or, as environmentalists argue, the changes could lead to a cleaner environment, fewer health problems and small increases in power rates.Those are the two outcomes being touted as power companies warn of a "regulatory train wreck" restricting the toxins and other pollutants they can send in the air, how their cooling systems use water and how they must dispose of waste.DTE Energy has two coal-fired power plants in St. Clair County: St. Clair in East China Township and Belle River in China and East China townships. The company also has a coal-fired peaker plant -- a plant that comes online during peak periods of electrical demand -- in Marysville.Wayne Curtis of Port Huron said as long as the extra fee on his bill was between $5 and $10, the cost would be worth it for the cleaner air."I wouldn't mind paying a little more," Curtis said. "I'm more of a clean energy advocate myself."Phil and Mary Kotcher of Casco Township said they would definitely throw their financial support behind cleaner emissions from area coal plants -- adding it's not just U.S. plants that need stricter regulations.Joking about his electric bills, Phil Kotcher said: "How much higher can they get?"As Russell Wills of Brown City sees it, it would be hard for a consumer to keep an energy company accountable for cleaning up their act."People always want to see instant results," Wills said. "Change is something that takes a while to happen."Many of the regulations are years in the making and are the result of courts ruling that more controls are needed to protect the health of the public and the environment. The rules -- one of which was finalized last month while the others are in various stages of the regulatory approval process -- are expected to reduce pollutants that cause cancer, neurological defects, heart and lung diseases and other health problems while also reducing damage to animals, water systems and the air.But the Michigan Manufacturers Association said the combination of new rules "threaten the continued viability of our present energy sources.""All of this is occurring while Michigan is still mired in an economic recession," Andrew Such, the association's director of environmental and regulatory policy, told the Environmental Protection Agency this month. "Reliable, affordable power is key to Michigan's economic recovery."Coal-generated electricity supplies about three-fifths of Michigan's market. Nuclear energy and natural gas fuels most of the rest.Congressional Republicans are trying to block, or at least delay, the new rules."By issuing multiple regulations for the energy and other sectors at such an accelerated rate, EPA has turned regulation from a manageable tool into an unpredictable moving target that makes it difficult for companies to invest and create jobs," said Michigan Rep. Fred Upton, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is leading some of the efforts to stop the regulations.But Michigan environmental groups are urging the EPA to move forward. The groups have urged tighter standards than what's been proposed for hazardous air pollutants and water cooling systems. And Michiganders such as Lansing resident Lori Rumpf wrote in a public comment to the EPA that "without strong protections, we will continue to suffer."Michigan ranks No. 7 among states for toxic air pollution from coal- and oil-fired power plants, No. 9 in the amount of coal-generated energy consumed and No. 9 in the production of heat-trapping gases produced with about 40% coming from power plants.While Michigan's per capita residential electricity use is lower than the national average, its total energy consumption is high due in part to Michigan's large population, northern climate and active industrial sector, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, an industry group, estimates that two of the rules -- one finalized in July to limit cross-state air pollution and a pending rule to restrict toxic emissions -- would cause power rates to rise about 20.5% in 2016 in Michigan. Industry groups also are warning of job losses and electricity shortages.But a study by the Bipartisan Policy Center, a centrist think tank, found it's unlikely there will be broad power reliability problems. The report also concluded the significant public health and environment benefits of the new regulations -- including fewer premature deaths and pollution-related illnesses -- should outweigh the cost of compliance, even though those costs will not be trivial.The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service said industry studies warning of a train wreck overstated some of the costs and didn't address the benefits. The biggest affects will be on plants more than 40 years old that never installed state-of-the art pollution controls. The Congressional Research Service said many of those plants are inefficient and are already being replaced by more efficient plants that partially use natural gas. Forty-three of Michigan's 62 generating units are more than 40 years old.
Contact Maureen Groppe at mgroppe@gannett.com. Staff writer Amy Biolchini contributed to this report.
You Might Be Interested In
What's this?Paid DistributionAn Outbrain customer paid to distribute this content. We do our best to ensure that all of the links recommended to you lead to interesting content. To find out more information about driving traffic to your content or to place this widget on your site, visit outbrain.com. We welcome your feedback at feedback@outbrain.com. View our privacy policy here.
Crews extinguish apartment fire
Doctor freed from prison after lies emerge
Boaters were warned of Float Down restrictions
Plants brace for new rules
Gratiot Blvd. open in Marysville
Blue Water Kick Ball Tournament
Doctor freed from prison after lies emerge
Plants brace for new rules
Plants brace for new rules
WASHINGTON -- Michigan residents and businesses could face higher electric bills, power shortages and job losses when a series of new federal regulations are expected to hit coal-fired power plants
A link to this page will be included in your message
View the last seven days
See our paid archives for news older than a week.
Salvation Army Thrift Store
Salvation Army Thrift Store
Sanctuary at Mercy Village
Auditions: The Wizard of Oz
Aud Regional Youth Complex
Free Food, Clothing, Baby Items and General Supplies Giveaway
Blue Water Free Methodist
St. Clair Garden Club Farmer's Market
St. Clair Garden Club Farmer's Market
Farmers' and Flower Market
Port Huron Factory Shops Outlet
St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron
Salvation Army Thrift Store
Salvation Army Thrift Store
Project Blessing Thrift Store
Project Blessings Thrift
Salvation Army Thrift Store
Salvation Army Thrift Store
Project Blessing Thrift Store
Project Blessings Thrift
Carsonville United Methodist Church
Bacon, Egg and Pancake Breakfast
Marysville Masonic Lodge
Multiple Sclerosis Support Group
Events | Submit an Event
Granholm's 2006 Letter on Long Term
Flip, shop and save on specials from your favorite retailers in Port Huron, Michigan
vacation in the upper peninsula
What I Did On My Summer Vacation
From: thetimesherald.com
What I Did On My Summer Vacation
From: thetimesherald.com
What I Did On My Summer Vacation
From: thetimesherald.com
MORE READER PHOTOS | POST YOUR PHOTOS
Sign up for home delivery today
The Looney Bin- Tis the Season!
61675 replies | Posted by flowerchild61 in The Opinion Page
The Most Important Sign In America
0 replies | Posted by Nuttynelson in NationalState Politics
0 replies | Posted by Nuttynelson in Local news
NEWSLocal NewsPolice callsNation & WorldCommunity KioskCurrent WeatherArchivesCommunity DataMULTIMEDIAPhoto GalleriesVideoLive VideoReader GalleriesInteractivesCOMMUNITIESYour Town's NewsLIFESTYLECalendarMichigan Cooks!Visitor's GuideGreat Lakes EscapesWorshipCelebrationsBridal MagazineHealthSPORTSLocal SportsHigh School SportsJim Whymer's BlogJoseph Hayes' BlogPaul Costanzo's BlogGolf GuideVOICES & VIEWSThe Opinion PageEditorialsTalkBackColumnistsLettersForumsBlogsOBITUARIES
HELPSubscriber ZoneN. I. E.
Copyright © 2011 www.thetimesherald.com. All rights reserved.
Users of this site agree to the Terms of Service, Privacy Notice/Your California Privacy Rights, and Ad Choices
Article original from: http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20110829/NEWS01/108290308/Plants-brace-new-rules
