The Trump Administration’s EPA has put a hold on these guidelines meaning they do not have to be enforced. This is a problem for both public and environmental health. When ingested, arsenic can damage and degenerate the respiratory, nervous, and reproductive systems.1 Selenium, in such high concentration, is especially harmful for aquatic life as it can affect offspring and normal growth.2 Annually, coal plants release 2.2 billion pounds of contaminated wastewater directly into our rivers, lakes and bays. 2.2 billion pounds of wastewater contaminated with arsenic and selenium is not a statistic to be taken lightly. The delay of ELG enforcement means these pollutants continue to be dumped into the water. Taking into consideration that the Morgantown Generating Station is the ninth worst arsenic polluter in the country3, it is clear why action is needed now! It is up to the Maryland’s Department of Energy (MDE) to create updated permits that follow the established science and keep our water clean.
MDE has released drafts of updated permits for three power plants in Maryland: Chalk Point Generating Station in Charles County on the Patuxent River; Morgantown Generating Station in Charles County on the Potomac River; and Dickerson Generating Station in Montgomery County on the Potomac River. It is essential these new permits are tough on water pollution. Regardless of the actions from the Trump Administration and the EPA, MDE is obligated to side with Marylanders and protect both public and environmental health. The science that led to the establishment of the ELG has not changed - arsenic is getting into the water and this must be stopped.
On August 13th, the MD Sierra Club will be hosting a hike in Maxwell Hall Park in Charles County on the Patuxent River to view the Chalk Point Generating Station. The hike will lead to a waterfront vista of the coal plant. We will talk about the ecosystems surrounding the plant, how the pollution affects them and why it’s important for MDE to enforce strong pollution reduction. It will be a great opportunity to learn more about the issue, see the coal plant firsthand, and learn how to become involved! After the outing, we will keep you informed about hearing dates, public comment periods, and more. Here is the link to register! (http://bit.ly/CleanWaterHike)
Join us for a webinar on August 10 at 7pm to learn more about keeping your water clean. Find more info here: http://bit.ly/mdbcwebinar
1 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs372/en/
2 http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/selenium.pdf
3 https://www.eenews.net/assets/2016/08/11/document_gw_05.pdf