Sen. Casey, Sen. Toomey and Rep. Dent: Pollution from Portland Plant is our Problem
On March 31, 2011 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson proposed to grant New Jersey’s September 2010 petition, under the Clean Air Act, to reduce toxic emissions from the Portland Generating Station in Upper Mount Bethel Township, PA. These emissions are in violation of the interstate transport provisions of the Clean Air Act and are significantly contributing to nonattainment of the 1-hour SO2 national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) in New Jersey.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a major precursor of acid rain and fine particulate soot and its mixture with other pollutants in the air can cause adverse health effects. Exposure to high concentrations of sulfur dioxide in the air can result in severe breathing difficulties and respiratory conditions whereas short-term exposure has been linked to wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.The GenOn-owned Portland plant is one of the oldest, most polluting coal-fired power plants in the nation, but Pennsylvania politicians—Sen. Bob Casey, Sen. Pat Toomey and Rep. Charlie Dent—are asking EPA to delay the proposed compliance timetable and to postpone finalizing emission limits.
At an EPA-hosted hearing in Oxford, NJ in April, members of the local community testified to the dangers of the coal plant and urged the EPA to take action against the Houston-based company’s coal plant. The Clean Air Council testified there along with members of the MAPLE Coalition.
At an EPA-hosted hearing in Oxford, NJ in April, members of the local community testified to the dangers of the coal plant and urged the EPA to take action against the Houston-based company’s coal plant. The Clean Air Council testified there along with members of the MAPLE Coalition.
This plant creates millions of tons of air pollution, endangers the water supply and the health of citizens on both sides of the Delaware. According to a 2009 EIP study, Portland ranks fifth in the country for SO2 emissions, measured in lbs/MWh. The advocacy group Clean Air Task Force says pollution from coal-burning power plants will cause over 500 deaths in New Jersey this year alone.
Despite citizens of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez and Sen. Frank Lautenberg, asking EPA to take action against GenOn’s coal plant, Pennsylvania Senators Casey and Toomey, and Representative Dent are siding with GenOn. The Clean Air Council would like to urge them to instead support and encourage the EPA’s efforts to reduce pollution from the Portland coal plant and improve the community’s health as quickly as possible.
While the Council stands firmly behind the EPA’s section 126 finding, we acknowledge that this finding will only have a positive impact if Portland is held accountable under the terms of the finding. The Council urges the EPA to ensure that Portland meets the proposed emissions requirements as expeditiously as possible. Progress should be visible within Portland’s 3 month post-finding period. If there is no progress in this period, the Council recommends the EPA consider closing the facility as allowed by statute and move to renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar.
