Springfield To Vote On New Coal Burning Power Plant
The Springfield City Council has voted to hold a bond referendum for the purpose of building a new coal-fired electric power plant. The vote will be held in August. The Sierra Club has gone on record against this proposal, arguing the nothing has been done to employ renewable energy, and almost nothing in the way of improving efficiency by the utility. Cynthia Andre has been leading the environmental effort in the area. Blowin’ in the Wind.
Peabody Coal Mounts Legal Attack on Sierra Challenge to New Power Plant
St. Louis based Peabody Coal, (a.k.a. Peabody Energy), has received a permit to build a large new power plant that is expected to adversely affect the air quality in Mammoth Cave National Park. The proposed facility is called the Thoroughbred Generating Station. The Sierra Club, among others, has filed a lawsuit challenging the permitting decision.
Peabody has intervened in the permit case. They are using the legal process to depose several Sierra activists, including the Kentucky Chapter’s Conservation Chair, Vice-Chair, and Louisville Group Vice-Chair. Being deposed is a multi-hour experience during which the opposing attorneys ask about everything they can think of that might discredit you. It can be fairly unpleasant. Peabody’s attorneys also subpoenaed email records and personal calendar for the past six months from Hilary Hopper, the Conservation Chair.
Frequent users of Mammoth Cave Park consider the park to already have a serious smog problem. The Thoroughbred plant would only exacerbate this problem. The emissions of mercury will also impact water quality above and below ground in the area.
Because this is a St. Louis firm proposing a pollution problem in Kentucky and threatening a National Park, the Sierra Club’s Midwest Regional Conservation Committee is assisting the effort to oppose Thoroughbred.
MRCC Will Hold a Mini-Conference on Air Pollution From Coal-Burning Power Plants
On April 5 in Louisville the MRCC will tour a coal-fired power plant with emissions controls, (scrubbers and electrostatic precipitation), and bring together Mid-west activists on energy issues with several noted experts.
New Evangelistic Center Will Seek Referendum on Renewable Energy Law
Reverend Larry Rice’s New Evangelist Center, which is based in St. Louis, Springfield, and New Bloomfield, will circulate an initiative petition for a referendum on Missouri’s “Net Metering” law. This is the law which sets the rules for a homeowner to experiment with renewable energy while remaining connected to the main electricity grid. The present law provides a number of disincentives that may be very expensive for a homeowner wishing to try renewable energy while remaining connected. Rev. Rice’s petition would create a more favorable situation for the small-scale use of renewable energy. Their petition language has been approved by the Secretary of State for circulation to voters.