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Dynegy's agreement to adopt the governor's multi-pollutant
reduction plan comes less than two weeks after the Ameren company,
the state's second-largest power producer, agreed to the plan.
[Related
article.] The
latest announcement builds momentum toward achieving the governor's
goal of making Illinois the nation's clean-energy leader by reducing
harmful emissions from coal-fired power plants.
Under the plan, Dynegy will:
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Install equipment designed to reduce mercury emissions by 90
percent, for 96 percent of their capacity by 2009; the remaining 4
percent of capacity will receive these controls in 2012.
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Dramatically reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
oxides -- two of the most harmful pollutants from power plants --
significantly beyond federal requirements.
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Agree not to trade outside of Illinois or with other companies in
Illinois for emissions credits needed for compliance with sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides standards, which means that reductions
in emissions are the result of actual pollution reductions in
Illinois and not credits purchased from other states.
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Accelerate the installation of pollution controls required under
a consent degree with the state of Illinois and U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency.
"This agreement with Dynegy means that now two of the state's
largest power companies have signed on to dramatically cut harmful
emissions and help protect the health of the people of Illinois,"
Blagojevich said. "We are reducing pollution in our air, lakes,
rivers and streams throughout the state. Over time, that means fewer
health problems for children, for senior citizens and for adults. It
means fewer cases of asthma, bronchitis, lung disease and even
developmental disabilities like cerebral palsy. Dynegy deserves a
lot of credit for doing the right thing and working with us to make
our air and our rivers and lakes cleaner and safer."
"By working cooperatively with the Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency and the governor's office, and recognizing the
leadership provided by Governor Rod Blagojevich and Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency Director Doug Scott, we have
developed a long-term solution that enhances the standing of our
Midwest fleet as the cleanest-operating group of coal-fired power
generation assets in Illinois and among the lowest-emission coal
fleets in the U.S.," said Bruce A. Williamson, chairman and chief
executive officer of Dynegy Inc. "The investments outlined in
today's announcement, combined with our previously announced
efforts, provide significant benefits to Illinois that include a
cleaner environment, while continuing to provide reliable,
affordable electricity and quality jobs for Illinois.
"Further, the agreement recognizes our previously announced
environmental efforts and investments, while taking into
consideration future mercury requirements at the federal level and
the new state-level mercury proposal in Illinois," Williamson added.
"By dealing with these rules in a comprehensive and proactive
manner, we are able to balance the financial impact on the company
and our investors, while supporting the long-term viability of our
Illinois assets."
Under the agreement, 96 percent of Dynegy's capacity will utilize
pollution control equipment by 2009 and is designed to achieve the
mercury standards proposed by the governor earlier this year. The
remaining 4 percent will install controls able to meet the standards
by 2012. In addition, Dynegy will make major reductions in sulfur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides, again surpassing federal standards.
[to top of second column]
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 Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides contribute to fine particles
of air pollution, and nitrogen oxides chemically contribute to
ground-level ozone that can lead to respiratory illness,
particularly in children and the elderly, and aggravate heart and
lung diseases. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides can also
contribute to acid rain, reduced visibility and damage to sensitive
ecosystems.
The state standards will cut toxic mercury emissions faster and
more thoroughly than new federal restrictions adopted last spring
and will achieve the largest amount of mercury reduction of any
state.
In March, Blagojevich filed rules with the Illinois Pollution
Control Board that would cut mercury emissions from coal-burning
power plants by 90 percent by 2009. Illinois' mercury rule will
achieve reductions of toxic mercury emissions from power plants
faster and more thoroughly than federal restrictions.
"Dynegy's decision to join Ameren in support of the mercury
pollution reduction plan and reduce their emissions of other
dangerous air pollutants is a win-win-win for better public health,
job creation and economic development in Illinois," said Howard A.
Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law & Policy
Center. "Under this plan, Dynegy will be doing their part to help
clean up the air while protecting Illinois women and children from
mercury pollution. This continues to show that a clean environment
and healthy economic climate go hand in hand. We applaud the parties
in the case for their willingness to move forward on the governor's
mercury reduction plan."
"The Illinois mercury rule will do what federal regulators
wouldn't: put children's health first," said Rebecca Stanfield,
state director of Environment Illinois. "Dynegy's willingness to
join Ameren in agreeing to this multi-pollutant plan means Illinois
will have among the most protective mercury rules in the country,
while achieving significant early reductions in other dangerous
pollutants that form soot and smog."
The tough new
mercury standards proposed by the governor will significantly reduce
toxic mercury emissions and will help protect our environment and
our children," said Doug Scott, director of the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency. "Dynegy is now going beyond that by
cutting sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, demonstrating their
commitment to reducing even more air pollution from their power
plants. We hope this will not be the last company to recognize the
how their decision to adopt a multi-pollutant plan can drastically
improve all of our lives."
Mercury is a harmful toxin that can cause serious health problems
to the human nervous system. Mercury becomes toxic when it enters
lakes and streams from the atmosphere through rain and snow. People
can become exposed to dangerous levels of mercury by eating fish
from contaminated lakes and waterways. Mercury exposure can harm
developing fetuses and can cause mental retardation, cerebral palsy,
lower IQs, slow motor functions, deafness, blindness and other
health problems. Recent studies indicate that as many as 10 percent
of babies born each year in the United States are exposed to
excessive mercury levels in the womb.
In the U.S., an estimated 43 percent of mercury emissions come
from power plants, making them the largest man-made source of
mercury emissions. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
estimates that the state's coal-fired power plants emit 3.5 tons of
mercury into the air every year.
[News release from the governor's
office] |
