MDE Finalizes Updated Water Pollution Permits for 3 Coal Plants

Baltimore, MD--The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) released finalized water pollution permits for the Chalk Point, Dickerson and Morgantown coal-fired power plants yesterday. The plants have been operating under expired permits since 2014 and the update now requires the plants to install necessary pollution-control measures to reduce dangerous metals that are discharged into the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac and Patuxent Rivers by November 1, 2020. The permits follow EPA guidance but do not completely eliminate the dumping of toxic coal by-product pollutants such as arsenic, selenium and mercury into our waterways.

The Sierra Club, together with the Potomac Riverkeeper, Patuxent Riverkeeper, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, the Environmental Integrity Project, Clean Water Action and thousands of supporters spoke out in favor of stronger protections to keep coal waste and toxins out of the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland’s drinking water at public hearings hosted by the state last year.

In response, Patrick Grenter, Senior Campaign Representative for the Chesapeake Bay and David Smedick, Maryland Beyond Coal Campaign and Policy Representative for the Sierra Club said:

“We are thankful that MDE listened to the thousands of residents who demanded action on the expired permits at the three coal plants,” Grenter said. “Even with the updated permits, the plants are still among the largest polluters in the state. So long as they operate, Marylanders will suffer health and environmental harm. There are no pollution controls that can ever make coal clean. Because of that, we will continue to work tirelessly to responsibly move towards a coal free Maryland, with a just transition plan for all.”

“Maryland is on the brink of transforming the way we produce energy,” Smedick said. “As we work to grow our clean energy economy, at a bare minimum, our state should limit pollution from coal plants as much as possible. We’re certainly glad that the updated permits will result in a bit less pollution dumped into our rivers, but we won’t see that change until nearly 2021. We need a Maryland that doesn’t simply settle for less toxic pollution, but instead looks at the challenging question of how we are going to protect our workers and communities during the transition to a coal-free state.”