Duke Energy expansion (NC)
Power company locks in a decades-long commitment to dirty air
SELC, representing four other environmental groups, has filed suit challenging the state of North Carolina's Division of Air Quality on its green light to Duke Energy Carolinas plans to build a new 800-megawatt coal fired power plant unit at its Cliffside power plant near Shelby.
Duke proposes building a new coal-burning unit near Shelby, NC
The state's permit violates the Clean Air Act in three major ways: it fails to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2); fails to require the necessary analysis of mercury; and it allows Duke to avoid review of soot-forming sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone forming nitrogen oxide (NOX) based on pollution reductions already planned and legally required at the existing Cliffside units.
The permit allows Duke to use a conventional coal burning technology, locking in a commitment to outdated, dirty coal technology over the 50-year lifespan of the unit, as well as global warming, ozone, smog, soot and mercury pollution
Following months of advocacy by SELC and others, last year the state of North Carolina cut Duke Energy Carolina's plans for an expansion at it Cliffside steam station near Shelby, NC in half. Unfortunately, even this smaller proposal will result in a host of environmental and public health problems for the Southeast. From soot and smog to accelerating global climate change, coal-fired power plants, such as the one Duke plans to build, would continue to harm North Carolina's air for generations to come through their reliance on dirty, outdated technology.
Duke's proposal is a part of a region-wide wave of proposals by electric utilities for new coal-fired power plants to meet projected demand increases. Fortunately, new technologies, renewable energy sources and energy conservation and efficiency measures can meet these new energy needs while lessening air quality impacts. In fact, Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers has publicly acknowledged that the time has come to embrace alternative energy sources - such as coal gasification and energy efficiency - if we are to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. Such an approach would mean cleaner air and improved public health for North Carolina.
However, the 800-megawatt conventional coal unit proposed for Cliffside won't make use of this cleaner technology. There is no justification for constructing new coal-burning power plants using outdated technology that will operate for 40 years or more, requiring our children and grandchildren to pay the price.
In August, 2007, the N.C. Division of Air Quality issued a draft air permit for the proposed expansion. In comments submitted to the state's Division of Air Quality in October, 2007, SELC put pressure on the state to not approve any air permit for conventional coal units at Cliffside and to ensure that if the units are built they will operate as cleanly as the cleanest units elsewhere. Furthermore, SELC pushed for a rigorous assessment of the expansion’s air quality impacts on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and nearby wilderness areas, all defined as "Class 1" areas deserving of enhanced federal protection.
SELC will continue the fight against dirty coal at new power plants
in North Carolina. The result will be cleaner and air improved public
health for North Carolina.
