[Archived] City Leaders Respond to Closing of Mirant Potomac River Generating Station

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	August 25, 2005 PIO# 267-05/sjm	Steven J. Mason, Public Information Officer, or Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

City Leaders Respond to Closing of Mirant Potomac River Generating Station

Mayor William Euille and Councilman Paul Smedberg have met with City staff to discuss the results of Mirant’s Downwash modeling study and the temporary shut down of Mirant’s Potomac River Generating Station and potential impacts of the closing.

“Clearly, the decision to shut down the operation of the plant was the correct action to be taken under the circumstances. Regardless of the worries that will be aired about potential power outages in the District of Columbia, the health and welfare of the citizens of Alexandria, particularly those located within close proximity of the plant, is my primary concern and one that neither I or the City Council will waiver on,” said Mayor Euille.

Concerns regarding the level of potentially harmful pollutants being emitted from the plant have been voiced by City officials and community activists for several years. In June, 2004, the City forwarded a letter to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) identifying a course of action the City was willing to pursue to achieve a permanent closing of the station. The Downwash modeling study submitted by Mirant confirmed suspicions that emissions from the plant are impacting air quality in the City and negatively impacting the health of City residents. The modeling study indicated, in part, that at the 24 hour level, the emission of sulphur dioxide, SO2, from the station is 14 times the safe standard, as established by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The predicted high levels of other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter are known to be a significant public health issue as well.

Recently, the City completed its own modeling study, indicating high concentrations and exceedances for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). Further, the results indicated that VDEQ guidelines for Hydrogen Chloride and Hydrogen Fluoride are also exceeded. The City’s modeling study concludes that the results indicate that residents in the effected areas are chronically exposed to concentrations in excess of health-based standards.
Today, the City sent a letter (see attachment) to VDEQ outlining the City’s understanding of the Downwash study results and the discussions regarding future actions. “The City is deeply concerned that these violations of the NAAQS likely have been occurring for many years, possibly since the NAAQS standards were adopted, and have directly affected not just the residents of Marina Towers, but all of the residents within one kilometer of the plant,” wrote Mayor Euille in the letter.

For further information, contact Steven J. Mason, Public Information Officer, at 703.838.3861.

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August 24, 2005

Robert G. Burnley, Director
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality 629 East Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Re: Mirant, Potomac River Generating Station located at 1400 N. Royal Street
Alexandria, Virginia

Dear Director Burnley:
Thank you for taking the time today to discuss with City of Alexandria representatives our concerns regarding the continuing operation ofMirant's Potomac River Generating Station and the continuing impact on the air quality of the City's residents.
The Downwash modeling study submitted by Mirant reaffirms the City's position that emissions from the plant are significantly impacting air quality in the City and jeopardizing the health of residents in our community. The science is clear - the modeling demonstrates that emissions from this facility are violating several National Ambient Air Quality Standards that are designed to be protective of human health including those for NOz, PMlO, and SOz. In many cases the exceedances are several times the NAAQS. For example, the modeling shows that the maximum concentration of the SOz at the 24 hour level is 14 times the safe standard.

As discussed, the City has also recently completed its own modeling, which shows even higher concentrations and exceedances for NOz PM 10 and SOz. As a result of concerns about health impacts from toxic pollutants and PM2.5, the City also modeled Hydrogen Cloride, Hydrogen
Fluoride and PM2.5. The results found that the NAAQS for PM2.5 is also exceeded, and the Virginia DEQ toxics guidelines for Hydrogen Chloride and Hydrogen Fluoride are also exceeded. Previously, VDEQ staff agreed to conduct similar air toxics modeling for a comprehensive list of toxic air pollutants and the City looks forward to sharing the results of the City's modeling, and further exploring this issue, with VDEQ staff.

The City is deeply concerned that these violations of the NAAQS likely have been occurring for many years, possibly since they were adopted, and have directly affected not just the residents of Marina Towers, but all of the residents within one kilometer of the plant. In addition, in its pleadings filed March 4, 2005, with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Case No. PST�2004-00042, Mirant describes its Potomac River Plant as "functionally obsolete," and stated that, because of physical deterioration to the plant "The remaining useful life [of this facility] as of January 1, 2002, is estimated at 5 years." In light of these facts, approving capital improvements which would prolong the life of the plant as a remedy for these NAAQS violations would contravene the spirit, if not the letter, of the Clean Air Act and its NSR provisions. Accordingly, the City must conclude that the only appropriate enforcement action is the complete cessation of operations at the facility as soon as is practicable.

You may recall that the City forwarded to you in a letter dated July 2,2004, copies of the action City Council took on June 22,2004, which outlined several actions for the City to implement to achieve the City's long term goal of closing the Potomac River Plant. Subsequently, in December 2004 and January 2005, the City has revoked Mirant's two Special Use Permits and revoked the noncomplying use status of the Generating Station, which was granted as part of the 1992 rezoning. As a result, any capital investment in the Potomac River Plant, including additional air pollution control equipment, raising the stacks, or changing fuels would require City Council approval. Given the degree ofNAAQS exceedances, and Mirant's description of the condition of this plant, it is likely that any significant modifications to allow the plant to continue in operation would themselves have significant negative zoning impacts on the community. Staff could not support, nor would the Council likely approve, modifications which had such impacts.

I will continue to keep you informed of information developed by the City, and the City's actions, related to this issue. I would also request your continued consideration of the City's views as VDEQ proceeds to effect a remedy for the air quality violations at the Mirant Potomac River plant. The City would again request to be kept informed as VDEQ considers the issues before the agency. On behalf of the City and its residents, I would like to express our appreciation for the agency's efforts to protect the health of our residents. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Rich Baier at 703-838-4966.
Sincerely,