An application has been filed by the Atlanta-based Mirant power company to double its¹ power generating capacity at the Dickerson facility. The application, filed with the Maryland Public Service Commission, outlines the construction of two natural gas-fired combustion turbines. The expansion would increase the station¹s electricity generating capacity by 740 megawatts to 1577 megawatts. This additional power is not for Marylanders, this power goes on the open market to the highest bidder.

So you might ask what¹s the nature of our problem with Mirants¹ expansion of the Dickerson facility? What about water consumption? The cooling towers included in the Mirant design will consume approximately 8 million gallons per day of water, and discharge approximately 1.5 million gallons per day with concentrated chemicals. This water consumption is equivalent to 5 times the amount of water the city of Frederick uses daily. What about air pollution? The new facility would substantially increase ozone and acid rain causing pollutants into the air over Montgomery County. Given our regional challenges in curbing air pollution generated by traffic congestion, and the recent news articles warning the metropolitan area of the danger of 'severe non-attainment status' under the Clean Air Act, why would we welcome this additional load of air pollution?

Our worries aren¹t limited to Mirant. The Maryland Public Service Commission has 2 permit applications under review and 2 more are expected.They have never had 4 power plant applications to consider, in close geographical proximity, at the same time. We are ready to take this Atlanta based company to task. Why should we be expected to give away a limited resource-water, spend our tax dollars curbing air pollution, and absorb the traffic and increased industrial complex at Dickerson?

We are asking our Maryland politicians to lead the way in protection of our air and water resources. Due to the recent ruling in favor of Virginia, by the Supreme Court Special Master appointed in the Virginia/Maryland water dispute, Maryland legislators have an even greater responsibility for monitoring Potomac water usage. It now appears that protection of this important resource falls completely to Maryland, given Virginia¹s plans for a new Potomac River intake pipe. If Virginia approaches this limited water resource as they have their land resources, it falls to Maryland to protect and defend our water resources from development.