There is no regulation of solid waste from coal plants (sludge, bottom ash, scrubber sludge) even though it contains toxic materials such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, chromium and cadmium. This material will be stored in the City of Midland’s landfill, which is not rated for hazardous materials.
People pay attention when the American Lung Association says smoking cigarettes is really bad for our health, but they ignore the lung association’s warnings about coal plants. Power plants produce ozone-forming nitrous oxides and hydrocarbons, which the American Lung Association reports can be deadly; especially at risk are children, senior citizens, people with asthma and people with heart disease. (http://lungaction.org/reports/stateoftheair2007.html)
A study by the University of Texas has found rising mercury levels in the environment correspond to rising levels of autism. For every 1,000 pounds of mercury in the environment, austism rates increased by 61%. (http://www.generationrescue.org/pdf/seed.pdf)
Innovest Strategic Value Advisors describes the Dynegy/LS Power merger as creating a carbon risk that “warrants significant concern for investors.” What happens to the millions of dollars in tax abatements already approved by the City Council if this plant folds during construction? (http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-6363574/Innovest-Dynegy-LS-Merger-to.html)
There are already restrictions on eating fish from Sanford Lake, the Saginaw Bay and the Tittabawassee River based on mercury levels in those fish. Coal-fired power plants, even new ones, release mercury, along with other hazardous materials such as arsenic, lead, cadmium and chromium. (http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/1,1607,7-132-2944_5327-13110--,00.html)
Utility companies downplay effects of arsenic, lead, mercury and other toxic releases, because new plants emit smaller amounts of pollutants. Granted, being shot with a 22-caliber isn’t nearly as bad as having a grenade tossed at me, but with energy efficiency and clean renewable energy sources, I shouldn’t have to accept “smaller amounts” of toxic chemicals.
My electricity rates might go up with an increase in coal-burning power plants, due to the skyrocketing costs of building these plants. In January of 2007, electricity from pulverized coal was 5.7 cents/kilowatt hour (Michigan Public Service Commission); in July, 2007, Consumers estimated the cost had risen to 6.55 cents/kWH, and by September of 2007, the estimate (by Consumers) was up to 10.1 cents – well over the 7.4 cents/kWH from landfill gas and wind.
Source: www.midlandcares.org