Ironically, some dirty coal-fired power plants are being closed, finally, not because of a challenge by the Environment Protection Agency to stop carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global heating, rather because of an EPA challenge to reduce sulfur oxide emissions that contribute to public health problems.
One tonne of carbon dioxide gas would fill a sphere over 10 metres in diameter. Now imagine 2-1/2 billion of those spheres dumped by U.S. power companies into the environment just in the year 2007.
Speaking of enforcement of the Clean Air Act, Steven Cohen reminds HuffPo readers that under consideration by the EPA is “a proposal requiring large industrial facilities that emit at least 25,000 tons of GHGs [greenhouse gases] a year to obtain construction and operating permits covering these emissions.”
And, HuffPo contributor Jeff Biggers reports that clean energy advocates are celebrating in Cleveland, Ohio after American Municipal Power in Ohio announced that it will abandon “plans to build a coal-fired power plant along the Ohio River in Meigs County–home of one of the highest concentrations of coal-fired plants and cancer rates in the nation.
Citing the 37 percent increase in building costs, AMP not only saved the Ohio Appalachia region of more mercury and other toxic pollution–but kept 7.5 million tons of annual CO2 emissions from releasing into our world.
Good morning, Copenhagen!
“A study released in 2009 lists the Ohio River as leading the nation in total toxic discharges. The EPA study stated that about 31 million pounds of toxic substances went into the river in 2007. Of these, about 96,699 pounds are considered cancer causing and 29,665 pounds are reproductive toxic chemicals. …Yet, the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORANSCO) identifies the river as the drinking water source for more than three million people.” Not to mention that Ohio is part of the Mississippi – Atchafalaya watershed, one of the largest river basins in the world.
Speaking of Ohio and the public health, the EPA now seems more concerned about our water. The report, “Wasting Our Waterways (PDF),” states that “cyanide, chromium , arsenic compounds, lead, dioxin and benzene are among 91 different chemicals dumped into the Ohio River from 99 facilities in six states…. Metals such as cobalt, nickel, lead, chromium and arsenic can persist in the environment for long periods of time.” Indications are there will be better enforcement of the Clean Water Act, as well.
“Yep, I can remember when I was your age, they saying that this river caught on fire.”
“Like the way those scientists can set fire to ice up in the Arctic, Daddy?”
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It was difficult to get the message, what with all the advertising on the page, and that the glitz seemed resistant to filtering with Tidy Read, in any case, the
Gristgist of the grrl message from Umbra was perceiving rather than judging.Image Credit: Collage of Holden CaulfieldGovernor, Jerry again on Line 4
Or to quote the amazngdrx:
For It’s Getting Hot in Here, Juliana Williams provides an update about the fight against coal in West Virginia, India, Australia and Iowa.
“Iowa currently has four unlined landfills where coal ash is being disposed, one of which is the dumping site for Iowa’s three public universities which are among the largest ash producers in Iowa.”
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