DOMINION POST Sunday 28 Feb 16 Op-Ed commentary Power plants can afford to mitigate harm BY LARRY HARRIS
On Feb. 9 an article in The Dominion Post described Rep. David McKinley’s visit to Longview Power Plant, and his promotion of the use of coal for energy.
He correctly pointed out that this power plant was one of the cleanest in the United States, and suggested that the technology used would make other coal-burning plants cleaner also. What is missing from this story is how Longview came to be this clean.
Back in 2004 Longview obtained an air quality permit from the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Three environmental groups legally appealed that permit: Trout Unlimited, Sierra Club and the National Parks Conservation Association. Longview asked if we would consider a settlement of our appeal.
We enlisted the aid of an environmental lawyer and expert energy engineer to recommend ways to make Longview even cleaner. The result was lower SO2 (sulfur dioxide, NOX (mono-nitrogen oxides) and particulate emissions, the first mercury monitor on a coal burning plant, and a mitigation fund to support measures to overcome the damage done by mining and burning coal.
The agreement also called for the establishment of a nonprofit organization to administer these funds: The Appalachian Stewardship Foundation (ASF).
Since the plant went on line in 2011, ASF has distributed more than $1 million for projects that reduce energy consumption, lower carbon emissions and restore streams damaged by coal mining and burning.
ASF has funded projects ranging from providing low-energy light bulbs in Preston County to allowing Downstream Strategies to evaluate ways to lower energy consumption in Morgantown. Other projects have been funded to increase solar power opportunities, monitor streams to detect pollution related to energy development, and to help communities improve energy efficiency.
Most importantly, we have supported several youth education projects designed to focus young people on striving for a cleaner energy future.
So while McKinley is touting the cleaner technology that Longview uses, we would encourage him to acknowledge the mitigation funds that should be a part of every energy project.
No matter what fossil fuel is used there is significant damage to the environment and to public health that the energy company should pay to mitigate.
West Virginia coal mining communities are at the top of the list of populations impacted by the adverse health effects of coal-fired electricity, including increased rates of birth defects, neurological damage, cancer, cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, and significantly reduced life expectancy.
If fossil fuels continue to be part of the mix, as McKinley suggests, we will need even cleaner plants than Longview. Continued emissions of CO2 (carbon dioxide) and other greenhouse gases are now recognized as contributing to climate change.
We must lower these emissions to prevent further environmental and health damage.
Most of the world communities recognize the need to lower the use of fossil fuels and are moving in that direction, while McKinley continues to promote the coal industry without addressing the health and environmental issues. As citizens he represents, we deserve a cleaner and healthier energy future.
Larry Harris is the chairman of the Appalachian Stewardship Foundation. He lives in Morgantown.