Air permit latest target of coal plant opponents

Feb 17, 2009 (The Gazette - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- IPWEP | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- A proposed coal-burning power plant in Marshalltown is coming under renewed public scrutiny as a public comment period on a draft air quality permits from state regulators begins.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has proposed to issue some 40 air quality permits covering Interstate Power & Light Co.'s 649-megawatt Sutherland Unit 4 generating station.

The plant will use supercritical combustion technology that burns coal at a higher temperature to reduce emissions. It also will generate up to 10 percent of its energy from burning biomass, further helping to reduce certain kinds of emissions.

The net impact of the plant would still be great. According to DNR's findings, the plant would emit 4,498 tons per year of sulfur dioxide, 3,213 tons per year of nitrogen oxides and more than 2,770 tons per year of PM10, a category of particulate matter.

Opponents of the project immediately challenged the DNR's findings on two points. They said the draft permits do not regulate the plant's greenhouse gas emissions and do not regulate PM2.5, a category of fine particulate matter.

PM2.5 increases the risk of asthma, bronchitis and heart attacks, according to Tim Fink, executive director of Interfaith Power & Light, a faith-based coalition opposed to the plant's construction. He said that's especially true for young children and older Iowans who already are more vulnerable to respiratory problems and diabetes.

Fink said the group also is concerned that the state does not propose to regulate the plant's emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. Coal combustion is one of the most potent emitters of greenhouse gases that have been linked to climate change, Fink said.

A letter-writing campaign planned by the interfaith group will ask the state to extend the public comment period on the permits to 90 days, and to hold public hearings on the permit throughout the state.

"The key will be to demonstrate that many, many people are concerned about this," Fink said.

The DNR's Chris Roling said the agency did not regulate PM2.5 because it was following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, which state that PM2.5 does not have to be regulated if the agency uses PM10, another category of particulate matter, as a surrogate.

"We're silent on PM2.5, and are accepting comments and will continue to assess the issue," said Roling, environmental engineer-senior at the agency.

Roling said the DNR is aware that there is a difference of opinion on the need to regulate carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas linked to climate change. He said environmental groups are relying on court decisions that indicate it should be regulated, but that the U.S. EPA does not currently regulate it.

"We're following EPA's guidance, but still reviewing the situation and accepting comments," Roling said.

The DNR has proposed holding two March 16 public comment meetings in Marshalltown and two March 17 public comment meetings at the Meskwaki Tribal Center.

-- Contact the writer: (319) 398-8317 or david.dewitte@gazcomm.com

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