DRAYTON VALLEY and OTTAWA — The Pembina Institute today called on the federal Environment Minister to use his regulatory authority to protect Albertans' health and the environment from the impacts of proposed new coal-fired power plants. In a letter to David Anderson, the Institute says it is especially concerned about air emissions.
"We want the federal government to be actively involved in the review of any new plants — such as those currently proposed by EPCOR and TransAlta," said Tom Marr-Laing, Director of the Pembina Institute's Energy Watch program. "Through a federal review panel, the Minister can determine whether these plants will cause undue environmental harm in Alberta and Saskatchewan. At a minimum, he can ensure that their environmental and health impacts are kept to the lowest level possible."
EPCOR's proposal for a 450-megawatt plant at Genesee and TransAlta's planned 900-megawatt expansion at its Keephills site, both west of Edmonton, will increase air emissions by about 25%. Of particular concern are emissions of sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen (both of which contribute to acid deposition), particulate matter and mercury. All of these substances have known negative impacts on human health.
"Acidifying emissions are already affecting some sensitive vegetation in Alberta and are likely impinging on Saskatchewan as well," says Mary Griffiths, an Environmental Policy Analyst with the Institute. "That is why the Saskatchewan Environmental Society has sent a petition to Minister Anderson asking him to formally review these applications under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act."
The federal government has announced that fine particulate matter, which can be inhaled deep into the lungs, is a toxic substance. New federal source performance standards for mercury from coal-fired power plants are also being developed, in recognition of its serious health effects.
"If new coal-fired plants are allowed to be built then, at a minimum, they should meet the highest possible pollution control standards — especially as they will be operating for 40 years or more. These standards should be based on more stringent standards in use in the United States and elsewhere, which will provide a reference for the development of new standards in Canada," Marr-Laing said.
For more information contact:
Ottawa Office
Mark Winfield
Office: 613-235-6288 ext. 25
Email: markw@pembina.org
Alberta Office
Tom Marr-Laing
Director, Energy Watch Program, Pembina Institute
Cell: 780-621-2472
Email: thomasml@pembina.org
Mary Griffiths
Policy Analyst, Pembina Institute
Office: 780-433-6675
Email: maryg@pembina.org