PA Governor Rendell Dedicates Reliant Energy's New Waste Coal Power Station; Plant Will Convert 60 Million Tons of Waste Coal Into Energy, Creating Jobs
Sep 30 - PRNewswire
SEWARD, Pa., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today marked the opening of Reliant Energy's new waste coal power station and applauded the advanced technology that will enable Pennsylvania to power its economy by putting to use an energy source that otherwise would be a threat to the environment and public health.
"This project demonstrates how investments in energy technology can help
to stimulate the economy and protect the environment," Governor Rendell
said during a ceremony at the new facility in East Wheatfield Township, Indiana
County. "Pennsylvania is a national leader in the development and
deployment of advanced energy technology, and this plant guarantees that our
Commonwealth will be a strong player in a growing energy market for years to
come."
More than 40 refuse piles have been identified for fuel supply for the first
16 years of operation for the plant, including more than 60 million tons of coal
refuse. It is estimated there are an additional 10 million to 20 million tons of
coal refuse to be found in piles that are still on a list to be explored and
evaluated. The reuse of waste coal is a prime example of one of the main
environmental themes of the Rendell administration - namely, viewing
environmentally harmful material as a potential resource that can be re-used
rather than remain as a liability.
As of December 2003, according to the Department of Environmental Protection,
there were 8,529 acres of unreclaimed coal refuse piles throughout Pennsylvania.
These piles include at least 258 million tons of waste coal that cause polluted
mine drainage, scar the landscape and, in some cases, result in coal refuse
fires which contribute to air pollution.
"Advanced energy projects like Reliant's waste coal power station are
helping to distinguish our Commonwealth as a leader in technology development
and creating excitement about Pennsylvania as an innovative, cutting-edge place
to do business," Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty
said. "The ability to deliver reliable, affordable and clean energy is an
investment in environmental quality, economic development and homeland
security."
Reliant's plant includes a number of environmental controls, such as the use
of a cooling tower at the facility, which will eliminate the discharge of heated
water into the Conemaugh River. Ash from the facility will be used to reclaim
waste coal sites. Crushed limestone will be stored on site for injection into
the boilers for sulfur dioxide control. The use of the circulating fluidized bed
combustion technology will control emissions of carbon monoxide and volatile
organic compounds, both precursors to the formation of ground-level ozone.
Reliant also will install selective non- catalytic reduction that in turn will
help to control nitrogen oxide, a contributing factor to smog. Fabric filters
will be used on emissions to control particulate matter.
The company will use coal refuse piles, known as culm, from the Conemaugh
Valley and areas near the Allegheny River and the West Branch of the Susquehanna
River. This area includes Indiana, Cambria, Westmoreland, Allegheny, Armstrong,
Huntingdon and Somerset counties.
"Pennsylvania has a tremendous heritage of coal production that fueled
the industrial revolution and provided hardworking residents with opportunities
for a better life," Governor Rendell said. "Unfortunately, that legacy
left significant parts of our state scarred from past mining activities. Now, we
have a unique opportunity to turn things around."
Governor Rendell has made it a priority to clean up mine sites with an array
of associated environmental and public health hazards, including underground
mine fires, water-filled surface mining pits, dangerous highwalls and open mine
entries. The Governor proposed $100 million over four years as part of his $800
million bond initiative to expand and enhance Growing Greener. The Legislature
still must vote to put the funding for Growing Greener on the ballot so voters
can choose yes or no.
The Governor also recently launched some major initiatives to build a clean,
indigenous, diversified energy industry in the state, including re- establishing
the dormant Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority. Together with a broader
fund at the Department of Community and Economic Development, PEDA can provide
almost $1 billion in tax-free bond financing for clean energy projects.
The administration is moving on a portfolio standard to ensure that in 10
years, 10 percent of all of the energy generated in the Commonwealth comes from
clean, efficient sources. Pennsylvania is leading by example. The Governor
directed the state to purchase 10 percent of its electricity from clean,
advanced energy sources.
Helping to spur the market share for renewable energy is the $5 million
Pennsylvania Energy Harvest grant program, which provides the last increment of
financing for clean and renewable energy projects that use energy sources such
as biomass, wind, solar, small-scale hydroelectric, landfill methane, coal-bed
methane and waste-coal.
CONTACT: Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor, +1-717-783-1116.
Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
CONTACT: Kate Philips, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor,+1-717-783-1116
Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/