[Archived] State Air Pollution Control Board Approves City Proposal for Mirant

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	May 23, 2007 PIO# 128-07/rdo	Steve Mason, Director of Communications, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

State Air Pollution Control Board Approves City Proposal for Mirant
Sets Stage for Comprehensive Permit Covering Full Range of
Air Pollutants and Toxic Substances

Following a day-long hearing on the operations of Mirant’s coal plant located in the city, the State Air Pollution Control Board (SAPCB) on Wednesday approved Alexandria’s proposal for regulation of the facility. In approving a short-term State Operating Permit, the Board began the process of developing a comprehensive, long-term operating permit. Calling it the “only common sense solution,” the City successfully argued that the Board should move to a State Operating Permit, covering the broadest range of air pollutants and toxic substances and providing assurances that the health and safety of the city’s residents would be protected.

The short-term State Operating Permit by the SAPCB sets strict limits on emissions of sulfur dioxide, consistent with national standards. Prior to approving the City’s plan, the Board rejected a plan proposed by Mirant and the Department of Environmental Quality for a short-term consent order. The Board also refused at this time to approve Mirant’s proposed stack merger (which was included in the rejected consent order), pending receipt of additional information and public input. The City opposed the stack merger because of the plan’s potential to allow significantly increased levels of pollution from the plant.

Supported by a large turnout of citizens, many of whom spoke on the record in favor of Alexandria’s plan, City officials made their presentations over the course of a day-long hearing on Tuesday. “We appreciate the Board’s willingness to travel to Alexandria to hold this vitally important hearing, said Mayor William Euille. “By taking this positive action the Board ensured that the voices of our citizens were heard,” said Euille.

Mayor Euille was joined by 8th District Congressman Jim Moran, several members of the City’s legislative delegation in Richmond, Vice Mayor Del Pepper and Councilman Paul Smedberg, in urging support for the comprehensive approach to the complex regulatory issues involving the continued operations of Mirant’s coal-fired plant in the residential portion of the city.

“Only with a State Operating Permit, one that covers the critical air pollutants as well as toxic substances, will we have the certainty of knowing exactly what Mirant is pumping into the air and ground of our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Euille. “We received a fair hearing and are thankful that the documentation we provided convinced the Board that the City’s approach represents the most rationale, scientific-based proposal for overseeing operations at Mirant.”

City officials and several citizens voiced strong concerns that any State Operating Permit would have to consider all air pollutants, especially tiny particulate matter (PM 2.5), a substance released during the process of handling and burning coal.

“This invisible threat is one that scientists throughout the country have found to be an especially insidious threat to people,” said Elizabeth Chimento, a citizen member of the Mirant Community Monitoring Group and one of the first residents to step forward and call for tighter controls and oversight at the Mirant facility. “We simply cannot look the other way while Mirant pumps this harmful substance into the lungs of our citizens.”

Vice Mayor Pepper urged the Board to take the same approach to Mirant’s outdated power plants as have other states: “Either protect the public health by upgrading the generating units to modern standards or shut them down.” Councilman Smedberg stated: “The residents of Alexandria deserve a regulatory regime that immediately requires this plant to implement legitimate pollution control technology, to the fullest extent required by law.”

In April the state board chose not to accept an interim plan that was developed by Mirant and the Department of Environmental Quality without input from the City. “In choosing not to accept Mirant’s proposed consent decree it was clear that the Board wanted to hear more from the City and concerned citizens before making its decision,” said Mayor Euille. “With today’s vote we feel confident that ours was the right approach.” The Mayor added that “We are deeply grateful for the initiative, leadership, and thoughtful work by the members of the Board in addressing these complex issues over the past several months, and striving diligently to protect the health of our residents.”

“We have always supported the idea of a comprehensive State Operating Permit for the Mirant coal plant,” said Mayor Euille. “With the strong support of our citizens, we have been successful in convincing the Board that a long-term, transparent approach is the best way to ensure the health and safety of our citizens. We look forward to working with all of the stakeholders in forging a positive, workable agreement.”

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