Posted by Ed on August 17, 2007, 1:11 am http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_6639408 Study says proposed plant will have little effect on air quality BILLERICA -- A group opposing a power plant proposed for North The study, released recently by Environmental Health and Engineering "Predicted maximum air concentrations by the dispersion modeling Ed Camplese, leader of the Billerica Watchers citizens-advocacy "They didn't do anything," Camplese said. "We requested more In an April 30 letter to state Secretary of Energy Ian Bowles, They asked that an independent agency study the effects. Montgomery has proposed a $200 million, 348-megawatt peaking plant on The study said the concentration of pollutants, which can cause According to the study, the nitrogen-dioxide levels coming from the Additionally, the level of particulate matter less than 10 microns in "Concentrations would be considerably lower than the primary NAAQS Camplese said the study does not consider Montgomery's plans to "Billerica is taking a backward step for the whole valley, and the Rich Scanlon, Billerica's principal assessor, disagreed with He added that the town hired an experienced, independent "If any group or individual has any facts that show anything
24.34.144.49
Today's Lowell sun - great story!! Also -- make sure to read it all -
- and note the end.
By Jennifer Amy Myers , jmyers@lowellsun.com
Lowell Sun
Article Last Updated:08/16/2007 11:42:54 AM EDT
Billerica is criticizing a preliminary study that says the plant will
have minimal impact on health and air quality.
Inc., the town's consultant, led by Dr. John Spengler of the Harvard
School of Public Health, states that the plant's six 80-foot stacks
will emit pollutants including: nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide,
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and particulate matter. However, the
study states, the emissions will not significantly lower the town's
air quality.
indicate that air pollutant concentrations in Billerica and
surrounding towns will remain below the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards," the study states.
group, said the information used by Spengler's group came from Earth
Tech, consultant for the proponents, Montgomery Energy Billerica
Power partners.
comprehensive studies, as did state Rep. Bill Greene and state Sen.
Robert Havern. This is what keeps us going at this. We can't get any
answers and all of the answers we get are incomplete and
inconclusive."
chairman of the Energy Facilities Siting Board, Greene and Havern
called for a "comprehensive public health and environmental study to
be conducted before any decisions are made or approvals granted."
13.8 acres off Billerica Avenue. It will run primarily on natural
gas, up to 2,100 hours per year at peak demand. It could also burn
ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel, up to 200 hours per year, during
extreme cold snaps when natural gas is unavailable.
respiratory distress, cardiovascular problems and increase
susceptibility to infection, as well as acid rain, haze and ground-
level smog, will be mitigated through the use of low-nitrogen dioxide
burners as well as technology that reduces both nitrogen dioxide and
carbon monoxide emissions.
plant are anticipated to be 400 times lower than current
concentrations in Billerica.
size is expected to be 200 times less that that currently in
Billerica.
standards and pose less of a health risk than air concentrations
typically measured indoors," the study states.
eventually expand Lowell's L'Energia power plant, which will add
pollutants.
whole valley will have to pay," Camplese said. "This study doesn't
say anything, it is a waste of time and money. The process is moving
forward and we are not getting any answers."
Camplese's assessment. He said the town is comfortable that the study
is valid.
consultant. "The data is not opinion, it is derived from fact,
modeling and careful analysis."
different from what we have received from Dr. Spengler, I urge them
to bring it forward," Scanlon added. "We are not interested in
opinions, we are interested in facts."
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