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The annual toxics report, released this week by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) shows that in 2004, Indian River Power Plant was again the dirtiest facility in the state.
State officials say statewide, the report found mixed results in the amount of pollution released during 2004.
On-site pollution releases increased by 8 percent statewide, caused primarily by coal emissions, reflecting increased energy consumption throughout the state. Indian River Power Plant reported a 25 percent increase in chemical releases, which DNREC officials say is in line with its increased energy production.
And while energy consumption increased in 2004, overall toxic waste decreased by 3.5 percent, from 95.8 million pounds in 2003 to 92.5 million pounds in 2004.
The information supplied in the toxics release inventory (TRI) report was supplied by 72 Delaware facilities, which provided information about the toxics released and how many pounds were generated during the year. Federal and state laws require the facilities to submit the information for a wide range of toxic chemicals, from lead compounds to mercury, ammonia and hydrochloric acid.
“We’re very pleased with the continued decline in total TRI waste and the move by facilities toward more accurate reporting methods,” said DNREC Secretary John Hughes. “We must consider the increase in on-site releases in the context of population growth and energy demand while we continue to work with industry, government and the public to re-establish a decline in these releases.”
Chemical releases
The report details the release of 102 different chemicals from the 72 facilities. In 2004, 10.3 million pounds of chemicals were released on site. Of this total, 7.9 million pounds were released into the air, 1.1 million pounds were released onto the land, and 1.3 million pounds were released into water.
According to the report, Delaware ranks 42nd in the nation for total on-site releases. Elsewhere, 47 facilities released more individually than the entire state of Delaware combined.
Indian River Power Plant, owned by NRG Energy, was once again listed as the dirtiest facility in the state.
This plant, built in 1956, released 14,000 pounds of ammonia to the air; 61,005 pounds of chromium compounds to air, water and land; 3,600,000 pounds of hydrochloric acid to the air; 130,000 pounds of sulfuric acid to the air; 25,879 pounds of lead compounds to the air and land; and 241 pounds of mercury compounds to the air and land during 2004.
The on-site release of mercury at Indian River decreased from 395 pounds in 2003 to 241 pounds in 2004. The report noted that the human nervous system is highly sensitive to all forms of mercury.
Exposure to high levels of metallic, inorganic or organic mercury may result in irritability, shyness, tremors, changes in vision or hearing and memory problems.
In comparison to the second largest polluter in the state, the Conectiv-owned Edge Moor/Hay Road Power Plant in Wilmington, Indian River contributed higher levels of mercury at 241 pounds, compared to Edge Moor’s 177 pounds.
Of Indian River’s 241 pounds of mercury, 52 were released to land, which could mean it stays around longer than the 189 pounds released into the air. All of Edge Moor’s mercury releases were into the air.
The only other facility in Delaware with higher mercury emissions was Occidental Chemical in New Castle. Occidental released more than 278 pounds of mercury to the water and air in 2004.
“Overall reporting accuracy is up, and long-term on-site releases and total waste are down,” said Hughes. “At the same time, it’s important to acknowledge the effects of energy demand on certain facilities and the environment when we look at these numbers in the TRI reports.”
Citizens call for clean air
Over the past several years a group of concerned residents has emerged seeking to reduce toxic Indian River power plant emissions.
Kit and Bill Zak of Lewes are part of a grassroots organization called Citizens for Cleaner Power (CCP). The couple first met with a handful of residents, concerned about their health as they live in the shadow of the power plant.
The group, loosely organized at first, has blossomed into a force with almost 60 members. Bill Zak said the group was needed to get the word out and push federal and state governments to create stronger regulations for Indian River.
Nearly 46 percent of Delaware’s sulfur dioxide output comes from the plant, in the amount of hundreds of thousands of pounds per year, Zak said.
Bill Zak and others in the organization attend regulatory hearings at DNREC that could help impose tougher regulations for power plants.
Both NRGEnergy and Conectiv also proposed regulatory changes in response to the hearings and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has pushed the problems with toxic emissions to the forefront.
NRG and Conectiv do not want the harsh regulations of the Healthy Air Act, proposed by the EPA, said Zak. The companies’ proposals are much more lenient.
“The CCP thinks it’s not in keeping with the best available technology,” said Zak, about the companies’ proposals. Instead of the 90 percent reduction proposed by the EPA, the power plants proposed a 75 percent reduction in sulfur dioxide and a 45 percent reduction in nitrogen dioxide. There are no reductions listed for mercury or particulate, which are two of the biggest problems, said Zak.
Mercury causes problems for pregnant women and particulate emissions contribute to lung cancer, he said.
“Indian River is the worst offender in the state,” said Zak. “We are convinced there is absolutely no reason that their pollution controls would effect consumer rates. They have been making windfall profits.”
A study done by Harbor Health shows that within a 30-mile radius of a power plant, disease and mortality rates are higher than in the general population.
“It is just disgraceful greed,” said Zak. “They can do this and they should have years ago.”
The next regulatory hearing will be held April 6 in Dover. For more information contact CCP at 644-2293.
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