Coal's Comeback
Jun 06 - Tallahassee Democrat (Tallahassee, Fla.)
Like many others who fought building a coal-burning power plant in Tallahassee in 1992, Ellie Whitney has tossed out the letters, scientific opinions and protest signs.
But an announcement last week by city officials of their interest in joining
a group to build a coal-burning plant in Taylor County has sparked some to rally
again against coal.
Last time, voters killed the prospect of a coal-fired plant in Leon County.
But experts say the outcome this time likely could be different -- because of
distance, technology and ever-increasing utility bills.
Coal is making a comeback nationwide in electricity generation.
The renewed interest is driven mostly by the high cost of natural gas, the
fuel of choice for many communities once concerned about the pollution risks of
coal. But by shunning coal, publicly owned utilities and their customers have
been at the mercy of the natural-gas market.
Coal prices have also risen, but coal remains cheaper than natural gas. And
new technology that has reduced coal-burning-plant emissions makes the fuel
attractive for cities looking to increase their electricity supply.
Although there are 600 coal-powered plants nationwide, no more than 10 have
been built in the United States in the past 20 years as a viable option for
electricity generation, estimated Jack Doolittle, CEO of Environmental
Consulting & Technology Inc., a statewide power-plant consulting firm.
But so far this year, plans have been announced to build four coal-powered
plants in the state, including the Taylor County proposal that Tallahassee
officials are considering joining.
"I think there is a similar move nationwide. Everyone was building gas
plants, but people now realize they need better diversity," Doolittle said.
"Most opinions of coal are based on coal-fired plants from previous
generations. The new generation of plants is much more efficient and, in most
cases, the emission rates are going to be 10 times lower than the older,
unregulated plants. A lot of this is an education thing."
The Taylor County plant proposed by a group of public utilities would be a
$1.4 billion plant producing 800 megawatts of power per day. Tallahassee, if it
joins in, would pay about $300million and receive 150megawatts daily to serve
the city. The city currently needs about 450 megawatts of power daily. A
megawatt is enough to power 300 houses or a large commercial center such as a
Wal-Mart Supercenter.
Spokesmen for the group say the money will pay for the latest in technology
to ensure the best emissions efficiency possible.
Holly Binns, clean air and energy advocate for the Florida Public Interest
Research Group, doesn't think the technology is good enough to combat coal's
age-old problem: pollution.
When coal is pulverized and burned to create electricity, it leaves behind
mounds of toxic ash and releases sulfur, nitrogen and carbon dioxide into the
air. Sometimes the toxic mixture in the ash can seep into the ground and
eventually into the groundwater, which can pollute streams.
Mercury emissions have also been a cause for concern. Natural gas burns much
cleaner than coal and leaves little or no sulfur or mercury after it is turned
into electricity.
Medical studies have concluded people who live near coal plants are at risk
for lung, brain and heart damage and newborns and young children are at risk for
chronic mental and developmental learning illnesses from mercury exposure.
Power plants that use coal to produce electricity are the largest single
source of U.S. mercury emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency.
"Coal is the energy technology of the past," Binns said. "It's
dirty and dangerous. I am very disappointed that the city is interested in being
a part of a coal plant. No matter what advancements are out there, inherently,
coal is a dirty way to get our power."
Recent decisions to consider coal have been more a by-product of economics
than science.
Allen Mosher, director of policy analysis for the American Public Power
Association, a national association of publicly run utilities, said the
alternatives to coal are just more expensive. Couple that with stringent
regulations from the federal government on coal-powered plants, and a formula
for coal's comeback is created.
Last month, President George Bush ordered a nearly 50-percent cut in mercury
pollution from power plants over the next 15 years, making the U.S. the first
country in the world to regulate mercury emissions from utilities.
To fulfill the requirement, coal plants have had to spend more on technology
to stay in business, Mosher said. Areas such as the Midwest have begun to lean
toward coal because of its abundance in the area. Other communities, which once
frowned upon coal, have started to ask for more information about technology
advancements and emissions improvements in the field.
"Communities have to figure out what their resources are and look at
their region. Many have found natural gas is harder to obtain," said
Madalyn Cafruny, spokeswoman for the APPA. "It's all about community
economics. There have been many advancements in coal technology. It's really
time for a lot of companies and communities to re-look at this issue to
determine what's best for their customers."
Tallahassee Mayor John Marks somewhat agrees.
The 1992 referendum does not apply to the current proposal because it is more
than a county away, so Leon County voters are not likely to determine the fate
of the coal plant. Marks believes the city should seriously consider having
another fuel option to produce electricity. Although he has not publicly
advocated a coal plant, Marks rarely passes up an opportunity to remind voters
of the choice they made in 1992 and contends it is the reason for the high
utility bills over the past two years.
The city rates, which incorporate operation and maintenance of electric
facilities, are among the lowest in the state. But the cost for fuel, which is
passed on to the customer, puts it on the high end in regards to affordable
utilities.
"We are a growing community that needs power," Marks said. "I
think it is a valid observation that other communities have coal plants and it
has worked in other communities. As utility-business operators, we have to take
a look at all possible fuel sources for our customers."
Also closely following the developments will be people like Whitney.
She has already formed a committee that meets with the city to discuss ways
to conserve energy through public policy. She said promoting the use of smart
appliances that are energy efficient is the best way to plan for the future
electricity needs of the city, not building more power plants.
"I understand the earnest desire to find a solution that keeps us
provided with energy, but you have to weigh the cost," she said. "I'm
not just talking about lowering bills. I'm talking about the health cost,
too."
-----
To see more of the Tallahassee Democrat -- including its
homes, jobs, cars and other classified listings -- or to subscribe to the
newspaper, go to http://www.Tallahassee.com
.
Copyright (c) 2005, Tallahassee Democrat, Fla.
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.
For information on republishing this content, contact us at
(800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail
reprints@krtinfo.com.
WMT,