Plans for controversial Coal-to-Liquid plant dropped
The Air Force has scrapped a plan to build a coal-to-liquids plant at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. Air Force spokesman Gary Strasburg cited environmental concerns as one of the factors that led to the plan’s withdrawal, though the official statement did not mention such concerns.
Finally, some military intelligence!
EPA alleges that Westar Energy has violated Clean Air Act provisions
The US government has filed a lawsuit against Westar Energy claiming that the utility updated a Kansas coal-fired power plant without installing modern pollution controls. As a result, the EPA alleges that Westar has been in violation of the Clean Air Act for more than a decade. Westar could face hefty fines for emissions violations dating from 1994. The US government has settled 16 new source review lawsuits since first filing them in 1999, including one with Kentucky Utilities mentioned in yesterday’s newsletter. The largest-ever new source review settlement was $1.4 billion US.
In a written statement, the company states that it’s a good environmental steward, and that it spending more than $1 billion over the next few years to do exactly what the EPA suggests.
Methinks they’re wishing they had a time-traveling DeLorean in one of their facilities for just such an event.
Montana coop drops Coal-Fired Power plans
Southern Montana Electric Generation and Transmission Cooperative says that it will stop pushing for development of the Highwood Generating Station, and turn to natural gas and wind energy instead. Earthjustice, an environmental group that had been fighting the generating station, believes that the new administration can take credit, and wonders if other proposed coal plants are feeling the heat. Frank Maisano, a spokesman for the Electric Reliability Coordinating Council, doesn’t read too much into the decision.
We think Frank should find a new line of work!
EPA vs Kentucky; the environment wins again!
The EPA has announced that Kentucky Utilities , a coal-fired power company, will pay $1.4 million US in civic fines and and spend nearly $135 million on pollution scrubbers to resolve Clean Air Act violations. The company will also invest about $3 million on projects to benefit the environment and mitigate the alleged violations’ adverse effects.
The Cold Kentucky Rain will become a little cleaner
Seven Michigan coal plants on hold hold indefinitely
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm has put plans for seven new coal-fired power plants on hold and set a goal of cutting electrical generation by fossil fuels by 45 percent by 2020. Michigan currently generates 70 percent of its power from coal and natural gas. As part of her State of the State address, Granholm directed the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to pursue “all feasible prudent alternatives before approving new coal-fired power plants in Michigan.”
We think Democratic governors are growing increasingly bold. Governor Granholm has also taken steps to make her state the li-ion capital of North America, and that’s really important. Li-ion batteries are not only going to power plug-in hybrids; utilities are going to buy tons of them so they can store renewable energy.
Granholm is our Governor of the Week!
And these stories are just a few highlights. Wonk Room has a few more.