Environmental Questions Surrounding the Mirant Expansion Plans at Dickerson:
Sugarloaf Citizens Association has raised specific concerns with Mirant on the negative environmental impact to our community. What is the position of this Atlanta-based corporation on using the best available technology to alleviate our environmental concerns? ³We are not interested in doing things that would make us uncompetitive in our business. We are not willing to do things that we donıt have to do.² ( Steve Arabia, spokesperson for Mirant July 19, 2000)
Water Temperature: According to the Mirant application the cooling towers will consume approximately 8 million gallons per day from the Potomac River and will discharge 1.5 million gallons per day of water with concentrated chemicals. The discharged water will be at a higher temperature than the Potomac River (a projected 12-15 degree increase in temperature.) Water temperature determines the amount of dissolved oxygen that water can hold, and it determines oxygen usage, a critical limiting factor for every stream organism. All stream organisms, except for mammals and birds, are cold-blooded. Their metabolisms and growth rates are determined by the surrounding water temperature. Each species has an optimum temperature range and a lethal temperature range.
Air Pollution: The Washington region has the seventh worst ozone pollution in the U.S., and may not achieve the federally acceptable 2005 levels. Marylandıs power plants contribute 35% of the total point source loading of nitrogen oxides and 85% of the total sulfur dioxide emissions that are responsible for ozone smog. These emissions are a serious concern. How will these new plants coming on line affect the pollution load? Mobile emissions are expected to exceed the federal standards for 2005. Marylandıs air violated federal health standards for ozone smog one of every three days during the summer in recent years. Ozone is a severe lung irritant, can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing and coughing. Prolonged exposure can cause reduction in lung function and inflammation of the lung lining. According to the American Lung Association, 10,000 people under 18 have asthma in the District, as well as 20,000 adults.
Economic Impacts: It is estimated that approximately 25% of the nitrogen loading to the Chesapeake Bay comes from atmospheric deposition. Power plants contribute 42% to that loading. The most recent modeling of the Bay (12/2000) revealed that the total nitrogen discharges must be reduced an additional 35-55% before the Bay can be considered for removal from the Stateıs list of impaired water bodies. The oyster is a good example of the economic impact of our stewardship. Once a mainstay of the Chesapeake Bay economy, they may become commercially extinct. Their decline is a result of pollution levels that have increased their vulnerability to disease & harvesting mismanagement. Oysters are at 2% of their historic levels.
Remember, what we do in the Potomac River can protect or pollute the Bay. We call on you for responsible oversight of the air and water pollution reaching the Potomac. The state of Maryland has spent considerable resources cleaning up the Bay. The decisions made on the six power plant applications before the Public Service Commission could reverse that effort. Maryland Department of the Environment has publicly expressed concerns about increased water consumption and degradation of the Potomac River. Marylandıs Environment Secretary Jane Nishida commented on the potential Virginia water intake pipe: "As this project moves forward, our concerns over water quality and environmental damage within the Potomac River persist."