State Hears from Residents on Proposed Coal Burning

By Tom Joseph, Public News Service-KY
Friday, Feb 05, 2010

WINCHESTER, Ken. - The Kentucky Division for Air Quality got an earful Thursday night from those on both sides of a plan to build a coal-burning power plant in Clark County. East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) has an $819-million facility in mind it says would provide residents with the lowest-cost energy possible. The public hearing revealed a vigorous debate among those who support and those who oppose the plant.

Steve Wilkins receives his electricity from EKPC through Blue Grass Energy and is opposed to the plant, called Smith 1. He says it would emit several toxic chemicals, including nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and mercury, which he says would likely find its way into the nearby Kentucky River.

"Kentucky already has a warning for people eating fish out of any Kentucky waterway for high mercury concentrations."

Wilkins says he has reviewed research showing the plant also will emit unregulated materials called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

"Several of which are known carcinogens, many others are suspected carcinogens, and those will also settle out into the land and water and will affect the health of people who live close to the power plant."

A study funded by Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, the Kentucky Environmental Foundation and the Sierra Club showed that improved energy efficiency and renewable power sources would be a better approach, he adds.

"EKPC could actually meet the same energy needs that the proposed Smith 1 plant would provide, and do it at a lower cost."

EKPC officials say they'll use cutting-edge technology to reduce emissions, including 95 percent less mercury released than plants burning pulverized coal. The non-profit electric coop reminds opponents its mission is to provide its members with electricity as affordably and reliably as possible. State regulators also are investigating how the coop will pay for the project since the federal agency that would traditionally lend the money has instituted a moratorium on coal-burning power plants. Public comment on the plant ends February 12.