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Sunday, December 7, 2008 6:01 AM CST
Opposition to coal heats up in U.S.
Tackling robots
Opposition to coal heats up in U.S.
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Churches time travel with Bethlehem marketplace
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Panthers hang on for 36-34 win!
Good neighbors 
DISCLAIMER: The Courier provides our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. For a more in-depth explanation of our policy, please see our Rules of the Road. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.
Opposition to coal heats up in U.S.
By JIM OFFNER, Courier Business Editor
WATERLOO --- Across the United State, opponents of coal-fired energy plants are generating heat of their own. And they're having some success.
For example:
The Environmental Protection Agency recently was blocked from issuing a permit for a proposed plant in Utah without addressing global warming. The move put the fate of a number of proposed coal plants in jeopardy.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin rejected a proposal by Wisconsin Power and Light, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy, to expand Nelson Dewey Generating Station in Cassville, Wis.
On Nov. 20, the Environmental Integrity Project reported that the top 50 most-polluting power plants in the U.S. emitted 20 tons of mercury in 2007. While some coal-fired power plants are reporting reductions in such pollution since 2006, most of the worst 50 plants actually increased mercury emissions through 2007, the most recent period for which data is available, according to Environmental Integrity Project.
Kelley Fuller, spokeswoman for Plains Justice, an opponent of coal power plants based in Vermillion, S.D., reports Iowa has three coal power plant units that are ranked in the top 50 in terms of mercury emitted per gigawatt hour.
Coal has long been a touchy subject. Americans are power-hungry, but subject to the caprices of an oil market largely beyond their control. They live on some of the richest coal reserves in the world, but voters also elected a president who promised a commitment to change the nation's energy infrastructure.
Whether those factors radiate on the Cedar Valley and surrounding regions remains to be seen. For now, however, the 750-megawatt Elk Run Energy Station slated to go up northeast of Waterloo appears to be on track.
Elk Run Energy Associates, an arm of LS Power based in New Jersey, filed an application for the plant in June. The move came not long after the Waterloo City Council --- after collecting input from supporters and opponents of the project --- agreed to annex and rezone property along Newell Road east of John Deere's plant.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is reviewing hundreds of pages included in the application. After that, agency officials will hold hearings on the $1.3 billion project.
Elk Run Energy must show the plant will use the best available technology to control hazardous emissions while utilizing modeling programs to show the exhaust will not cause air quality in the area to deteriorate below acceptable standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
"After we receive the required permits --- and specifically the major permits are the Iowa Utilities Board and air-quality permit from the DNR --- once we have those, we're in a position where we can move forward and start construction," said Mark Milburn, project development manager for Elk Run Energy. "That could be the end of next year."
Or longer, he added, if opponents file objections.
"If there's any appeals to the permits, or there's litigation, it could get delayed one or two more years," Milburn said.
LS Energy says the new Elk Run Energy Station will contribute an estimated $3.15 million in taxes annually based on 2006 tax rates. It will be a state-of-the-art facility providing enough electricity to power 650,000 homes, the company adds.
"This new source of electricity will make the area more attractive to new businesses that may choose to relocate in Black Hawk County," the company said in a prepared statement.
That's not all the plant will add to the community, according to opponents.
On Nov. 25, two nonprofit groups representing Iowa doctors and nurses urged the DNR to take stronger steps to protect public health from fine particulate matter. The substance is also known as PM2.5, a hazardous air pollutant found in soot from coal-fired power plants.
A letter to the DNR on behalf of the Iowa chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Iowa Nurses' Association claimed the agency's existing requirements for coal power plants applicants are not only insufficient to protect the public from fine particulate air pollution, they also do not comply with the Clean Air Act.
The letter goes on to request the DNR apply those required stronger standards before issuing draft air permits for the proposed Interstate Power & Light coal power plant in Marshalltown and the Elk Run Energy Station.
"The science continues to unfold about the harmfulness of fine particle pollution," Dr. Maureen McCue of the Iowa chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility wrote in a prepared statement. "We already know that PM2.5 air pollution poses great risks to our most vulnerable citizens --- children, the elderly and people with heart or lung disease."
Pat Hemphill Fuller, speaking on behalf of the Iowa Nurses Association, called on the DNR to "do more to control PM2.5 than it's doing now" before approving any new plants.
The DNR is expected to issue the draft air permit for the Marshalltown coal plant by the end of the year. The permit for LS Power is expected some time in 2009.
Don Shatzer, a member of Community Energy Solutions, which opposes the Elk Run Energy project, said lower-cost alternatives to coal exist.
"The lowest cost alternative is energy efficiency which can only be achieved through education, smart building and restructuring electric rates to encourage efficiency and conservation," Shatzer said.
Costs will come down as the nation focuses on clean-energy sources, such as solar and wind power, Shatzer said.
"Like all new technology, once we commit to alternative renewable energy, cost of production will fall and efficiency of the new technologies will increase," he said.
The conversion might be particularly difficult for Iowa, which is more than 80 percent dependent on coal for its electric needs, compared to the national average of 52 percent, Shatzer said.
"Iowa rate payers are at great risk of exorbitant rate increases due to our lack of electric generation diversity and the certainty of future carbon regulation," he said.
Procuring coal to fire plants is a needless expense in itself, Shatzer said.
"Each year Iowa exports millions of dollars from its economy for the purchase of fossil fuels," he said. "By moving to clean alternative renewable energy, we will not only keep that money in our economy, but also add thousands of good jobs."
Milburn said the Elk Run plant will meet all environmental standards. He also said the company is working on alternative-fuel plants as part of its strategic planning.
For the moment, though, alternative power sources remain stuff of the future, he said.
"When you look at the increasing demand for electricity, it's generally true the demand is increasing and even with renewable performance standards, the increase in supply of renewable energy appears like it cannot keep up with demand," Milburn said.
Contact Jim Offner at (319) 291-1598 or jim.offner@wcfcourier.com.
For example:
The Environmental Protection Agency recently was blocked from issuing a permit for a proposed plant in Utah without addressing global warming. The move put the fate of a number of proposed coal plants in jeopardy.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin rejected a proposal by Wisconsin Power and Light, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy, to expand Nelson Dewey Generating Station in Cassville, Wis.
On Nov. 20, the Environmental Integrity Project reported that the top 50 most-polluting power plants in the U.S. emitted 20 tons of mercury in 2007. While some coal-fired power plants are reporting reductions in such pollution since 2006, most of the worst 50 plants actually increased mercury emissions through 2007, the most recent period for which data is available, according to Environmental Integrity Project.
Kelley Fuller, spokeswoman for Plains Justice, an opponent of coal power plants based in Vermillion, S.D., reports Iowa has three coal power plant units that are ranked in the top 50 in terms of mercury emitted per gigawatt hour.
Coal has long been a touchy subject. Americans are power-hungry, but subject to the caprices of an oil market largely beyond their control. They live on some of the richest coal reserves in the world, but voters also elected a president who promised a commitment to change the nation's energy infrastructure.
Whether those factors radiate on the Cedar Valley and surrounding regions remains to be seen. For now, however, the 750-megawatt Elk Run Energy Station slated to go up northeast of Waterloo appears to be on track.
Elk Run Energy Associates, an arm of LS Power based in New Jersey, filed an application for the plant in June. The move came not long after the Waterloo City Council --- after collecting input from supporters and opponents of the project --- agreed to annex and rezone property along Newell Road east of John Deere's plant.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is reviewing hundreds of pages included in the application. After that, agency officials will hold hearings on the $1.3 billion project.
Elk Run Energy must show the plant will use the best available technology to control hazardous emissions while utilizing modeling programs to show the exhaust will not cause air quality in the area to deteriorate below acceptable standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
"After we receive the required permits --- and specifically the major permits are the Iowa Utilities Board and air-quality permit from the DNR --- once we have those, we're in a position where we can move forward and start construction," said Mark Milburn, project development manager for Elk Run Energy. "That could be the end of next year."
Or longer, he added, if opponents file objections.
"If there's any appeals to the permits, or there's litigation, it could get delayed one or two more years," Milburn said.
LS Energy says the new Elk Run Energy Station will contribute an estimated $3.15 million in taxes annually based on 2006 tax rates. It will be a state-of-the-art facility providing enough electricity to power 650,000 homes, the company adds.
"This new source of electricity will make the area more attractive to new businesses that may choose to relocate in Black Hawk County," the company said in a prepared statement.
That's not all the plant will add to the community, according to opponents.
On Nov. 25, two nonprofit groups representing Iowa doctors and nurses urged the DNR to take stronger steps to protect public health from fine particulate matter. The substance is also known as PM2.5, a hazardous air pollutant found in soot from coal-fired power plants.
A letter to the DNR on behalf of the Iowa chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Iowa Nurses' Association claimed the agency's existing requirements for coal power plants applicants are not only insufficient to protect the public from fine particulate air pollution, they also do not comply with the Clean Air Act.
The letter goes on to request the DNR apply those required stronger standards before issuing draft air permits for the proposed Interstate Power & Light coal power plant in Marshalltown and the Elk Run Energy Station.
"The science continues to unfold about the harmfulness of fine particle pollution," Dr. Maureen McCue of the Iowa chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility wrote in a prepared statement. "We already know that PM2.5 air pollution poses great risks to our most vulnerable citizens --- children, the elderly and people with heart or lung disease."
Pat Hemphill Fuller, speaking on behalf of the Iowa Nurses Association, called on the DNR to "do more to control PM2.5 than it's doing now" before approving any new plants.
The DNR is expected to issue the draft air permit for the Marshalltown coal plant by the end of the year. The permit for LS Power is expected some time in 2009.
Don Shatzer, a member of Community Energy Solutions, which opposes the Elk Run Energy project, said lower-cost alternatives to coal exist.
"The lowest cost alternative is energy efficiency which can only be achieved through education, smart building and restructuring electric rates to encourage efficiency and conservation," Shatzer said.
Costs will come down as the nation focuses on clean-energy sources, such as solar and wind power, Shatzer said.
"Like all new technology, once we commit to alternative renewable energy, cost of production will fall and efficiency of the new technologies will increase," he said.
The conversion might be particularly difficult for Iowa, which is more than 80 percent dependent on coal for its electric needs, compared to the national average of 52 percent, Shatzer said.
"Iowa rate payers are at great risk of exorbitant rate increases due to our lack of electric generation diversity and the certainty of future carbon regulation," he said.
Procuring coal to fire plants is a needless expense in itself, Shatzer said.
"Each year Iowa exports millions of dollars from its economy for the purchase of fossil fuels," he said. "By moving to clean alternative renewable energy, we will not only keep that money in our economy, but also add thousands of good jobs."
Milburn said the Elk Run plant will meet all environmental standards. He also said the company is working on alternative-fuel plants as part of its strategic planning.
For the moment, though, alternative power sources remain stuff of the future, he said.
"When you look at the increasing demand for electricity, it's generally true the demand is increasing and even with renewable performance standards, the increase in supply of renewable energy appears like it cannot keep up with demand," Milburn said.
Contact Jim Offner at (319) 291-1598 or jim.offner@wcfcourier.com.
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tuck wrote on Dec 8, 2008 5:54 AM:
" Hey hetfield, talk about nincompoops. All your union friends who support this coal plant also supported Obama. Maybe they supported the wrong party. "
Hound wrote on Dec 8, 2008 8:16 AM:
" "This new source of electricity will make the area more attractive to new businesses that may choose to relocate in Black Hawk County," the company said in a prepared statement. Pleeeeease! This is a wholesale power plant. The plan all along has been to sell the power to the Chicago suburbs. This isn't power that is going to be used by Iowans. The last republican controlled legislature took out the requirement that new plants in Iowa show a need for power in Iowa. We get the pollution and the blood money, the burbs get the power. And Waterloo wonders why it has image problems..... "
hetfield wrote on Dec 8, 2008 8:39 AM:
" tuck wrote on Dec 8, 2008 5:54 AM:
" Hey hetfield, talk about nincompoops. All your union friends who support this coal plant also supported Obama. Maybe they supported the wrong party. "
I have no idea why anyone would support b hussein. but when the guy comes out and actually tells the truth a couple times(bankrupt coal, spread wealth) he is actually showing you what he really intends. Those in the coal industry tied their cart to the wrong donkey!
also, i cant think of one union friend i have. i'm sure they are nice and everything, but sheesh! "
" Hey hetfield, talk about nincompoops. All your union friends who support this coal plant also supported Obama. Maybe they supported the wrong party. "
I have no idea why anyone would support b hussein. but when the guy comes out and actually tells the truth a couple times(bankrupt coal, spread wealth) he is actually showing you what he really intends. Those in the coal industry tied their cart to the wrong donkey!
also, i cant think of one union friend i have. i'm sure they are nice and everything, but sheesh! "
think wrote on Dec 8, 2008 9:44 AM:
" Odd growing up in the day when most homes and businesses used coal, all of us in my age group should have been dead 40 years ago. I remember having to use headlights in the daytime just to avoid hitting another car due to smoke from the old Deere foundry. This was near the Wonder Bakery. The black smoke poured out of most homes and a few had fuel oil that leaked into the ground water. All these weird autoimmune diseases were unheard of back then. They stated when plastics became state of the art. No matter Obama is going to bankrupt the coal industry. Then that will take the railroads. Most of the black ink for the big railroads is from moving coal. "
xdfred wrote on Dec 8, 2008 10:45 AM:
" Let's go nuke!
And bring on global warming! It's cold outside! "
And bring on global warming! It's cold outside! "
jjd wrote on Dec 8, 2008 1:02 PM:
" If people started cutting back on their electrical energy use, then these plants would not be built. Politicians are not asking people to cut back (and save themselves some money in the process). Instead they are telling everyone how sorry they are for the cost of energy and giving them $1200 checks to help fill up their SUVs and air condition their too-large houses. The problem in this country is that people use too much, not that too much is being produced. "
xdfred wrote on Dec 8, 2008 3:25 PM:
" jjd wrote on Dec 8, 2008 1:02 PM:
" If people started cutting back on their electrical energy use, then these plants would not be built....." No problem, you first. And your employer, too. Shut all the lights off. And forget about the electric car that's going to save Detroit and stop global warming. And how is aluminum refined? With electricity.
It's easy to say what others should or shouldn't do.
Coal fired power plants are much cleaner now than in the old days, unless one is ridiculous enough to consider CO2 a pollutant. "
" If people started cutting back on their electrical energy use, then these plants would not be built....." No problem, you first. And your employer, too. Shut all the lights off. And forget about the electric car that's going to save Detroit and stop global warming. And how is aluminum refined? With electricity.
It's easy to say what others should or shouldn't do.
Coal fired power plants are much cleaner now than in the old days, unless one is ridiculous enough to consider CO2 a pollutant. "
ARMYWIFE wrote on Dec 8, 2008 5:59 PM:
" It appears to me that a lot of people are complaining about coal plants just to be complaining. There were coal fired plants in Waterloo for many years and I do not know of one person that died from "pollution. I do know there two coal fired plants still operating in Cedar Falls (UNI and the Cedar Falls Utilities) and I have yet to hear of anyone getting sick and dying from the "pollution". Being a resident of Waterloo, Iowa for 70 years, I have seen coal fired plants in action and I have never heard of or seen anyone suffer from them. "
Newswatcher wrote on Dec 8, 2008 6:49 PM:
" ARMYWIFE,
You are exactly right on! The biggest non-smokers' cancer causing agent we have in our area is Radon gas.
Get your basements checked out. Now. Especially if you're down there much or have bedrooms that are used there.
Coal heat has my vote, never saw one sick person from coal pollution - even the people who have lived next to the plants for 20, 30 and some 40 years!
These people complain just to complain, they have to have their undies too tight about something or they don't feel alive, so it seems.
Instead of building more roads, Obama should have a huge improvement to our national Railroad system, so we can get some of those bigrigs off our Interstate Highways, they're the ones ripping them all up.
I hope everyone remembers that even tho' gas is extremely cheap right now, don't overconsume, keep the demand down, it will keep prices down longer. And remember how desperate we were to get alternative fuel sources when gas was $4/gal? We still need the passion for that.
Let's not forget, the Middle East still has a noose around our neck with oil pricing. They can do what they want, when they want and we saw what they could do - and quickly!
Merry Christmas! "
You are exactly right on! The biggest non-smokers' cancer causing agent we have in our area is Radon gas.
Get your basements checked out. Now. Especially if you're down there much or have bedrooms that are used there.
Coal heat has my vote, never saw one sick person from coal pollution - even the people who have lived next to the plants for 20, 30 and some 40 years!
These people complain just to complain, they have to have their undies too tight about something or they don't feel alive, so it seems.
Instead of building more roads, Obama should have a huge improvement to our national Railroad system, so we can get some of those bigrigs off our Interstate Highways, they're the ones ripping them all up.
I hope everyone remembers that even tho' gas is extremely cheap right now, don't overconsume, keep the demand down, it will keep prices down longer. And remember how desperate we were to get alternative fuel sources when gas was $4/gal? We still need the passion for that.
Let's not forget, the Middle East still has a noose around our neck with oil pricing. They can do what they want, when they want and we saw what they could do - and quickly!
Merry Christmas! "
MAC wrote on Dec 9, 2008 6:11 AM:
" xdfred wrote on Dec 8, 2008 10:45 AM:
" Let's go nuke!
For once, we are in agreement. "
" Let's go nuke!
For once, we are in agreement. "
rj wrote on Dec 9, 2008 10:40 AM:
" With or without any new plants--coal, nuke, alternative--your electric rates WILL at least double in cost over the next ten years according to most industry experts. Just so you know. "
newmom wrote on Dec 9, 2008 4:38 PM:
" Hetfield...Regardless if you supported or didn't support Senator Barack Obama for President, the fact remains that he was elected. As the President-Elect of our country show a little respect and refer to him properly, NOT as B Hussein. Keep in mind that anyone looking to move to this area can take a look at these blogs and see what type of people we have living here. Everyone is worried about jobs and bringing new people to this community....Let's make a good impression!! "
hetfield wrote on Dec 9, 2008 8:57 PM:
" newmom wrote on Dec 9, 2008 4:38 PM:
" Hetfield...Regardless if you supported or didn't support Senator Barack Obama for President, the fact remains that he was elected. As the President-Elect of our country show a little respect and refer to him properly, NOT as B Hussein. Keep in mind that anyone looking to move to this area can take a look at these blogs and see what type of people we have living here. Everyone is worried about jobs and bringing new people to this community....Let's make a good impression!! "
yea ok. why is everyone worried about jobs? as rush said the other night ' i prefer not to participate in the so-called bad news.' sorry but b hussein stealing the election with acorn, and other chitown politics is a disgrace for the office.
thanks for the comment though "
" Hetfield...Regardless if you supported or didn't support Senator Barack Obama for President, the fact remains that he was elected. As the President-Elect of our country show a little respect and refer to him properly, NOT as B Hussein. Keep in mind that anyone looking to move to this area can take a look at these blogs and see what type of people we have living here. Everyone is worried about jobs and bringing new people to this community....Let's make a good impression!! "
yea ok. why is everyone worried about jobs? as rush said the other night ' i prefer not to participate in the so-called bad news.' sorry but b hussein stealing the election with acorn, and other chitown politics is a disgrace for the office.
thanks for the comment though "
tllorenz wrote on Dec 10, 2008 10:25 PM:
" Response to Hounds posted comment; "This is a wholesale power plant. The plan all along has been to sell the power to the Chicago suburbs. This isn't power that is going to be used by Iowans. The last republican controlled legislature took out the requirement that new plants in Iowa show a need for power in Iowa. We get the pollution and the blood money, the burbs get the power."
Yes and the same logic should be used against John Deere plant in Waterloo shipping tractors outside of Iowa! John Deere should show politicians that Iowans need all their newly produced John Deere tractors. We get the pollution and blood money, and the tractors are shipped out of Iowa...huh? "
Yes and the same logic should be used against John Deere plant in Waterloo shipping tractors outside of Iowa! John Deere should show politicians that Iowans need all their newly produced John Deere tractors. We get the pollution and blood money, and the tractors are shipped out of Iowa...huh? "
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DISCLAIMER: The Courier provides our story commenting feature in order to solicit feedback, debate and discussion on topics of local interest. Please keep in mind that civility is a necessary component of productive conversation. All blatantly inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate comments (i.e. vulgarity, marketing, etc.) are subject to rejection and/or removal. Comments will appear if and when they are approved. For a more in-depth explanation of our policy, please see our Rules of the Road. Thanks for reading, and thanks for participating.
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hetfield wrote on Dec 7, 2008 8:48 PM: