Read RDC's Comment Letter
Comment deadline was August 29, 2011
Overview:
The Healy Clean Coal Plant (HCCP) is a 50 megawatt coal-fired plant that would supply electricity to Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) customers in Interior Alaska. The plant features new technology and emission controls, enabling it to be one of the cleanest burning power plants in Alaska. HCCP can produce this clean power at a much lower cost than the oil-fired generation currently being used, passing those savings to Interior residents who struggle with substantial energy bills.
The State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) is currently taking public comments until Monday, August 29, 2011, after which it will issue a record of decision. Following, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will decide whether to concur with ADEC’s decision.
Action requested:
Support the renewal of Air Quality Control Operating Permit No. AQ0173TVP02 to the Golden Valley Electric Association Healy Power Plant.
How to comment:
Mr. Wallace Evans, Operating Permits Supervisor
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
619 E. Ship Creek Avenue Ste. 249
Anchorage, AK 99501
Email: wallace.evans@alaska.gov
Please also send copies of your comments to:
Senator Mark Begich: http://begich.senate.gov/public/
Senator Lisa Murkowski: http://murkowski.senate.gov/public
Congressman Don Young: https://donyoung.house.gov
EPA Region 10 Administrator Dennis McLerran: mclerran.dennis@epa.gov
ADEC Commissioner Larry Hartig: Larry.Hartig@alaska.gov
Comment deadline was August 29, 2011
Points to consider in your comments:
- The project went through a full permitting process in the late 1990s and was issued a permit to operate. Legal challenges interrupted generation after start-up in 1998. Those challenges have been resolved and GVEA is ready to operate the plant again.
- The HCCP met or exceeded all environmental performance standards during start-up operations. It has the ability to be one of the cleanest burning power plants, coal or otherwise, in Alaska.
- HCCP was designed to burn low-grade coal that is currently being removed at the area mine to access higher-grade coal required by other coal consumers in Alaska. Having HCCP sit dormant is a waste of these coal resources.
- Significant infrastructure, including a coal mine in the proximity, the existing power plant, and distribution lines is already in place. This project is ready to move forward with no additional environmental impact.
- Taking current oil prices into consideration, HCCP has the ability to reduce GVEA members’ electricity bills by 20%. This is welcome relief in Interior Alaska, where temperatures dip well below zero for weeks on end and energy prices soar. It is estimated that GVEA members are purchasing power at three times the cost of the national average.
- HCCP was constructed using hundreds of millions of dollars of federal and state funding. To date, Interior Alaska has yet to reap the benefits of that investment. In addition to lowering energy costs, allowing the plant to operate would also provide jobs for Interior residents.
Comment deadline was August 29, 2011
