Depsite known causes of global warming, energy conglomerates are pushing for not one, but two coal burning electricity plants near the town of Ely, Nevada..
White Pine
Location: Ely
Company: White Pine Energy Associates (LS Power and Dynergy)
Type: Conventional pulverized coal
Megawatts (MW): 1,590
Owner: Merchant
More information: In April 2007, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management issued a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS), assessing the environmental impacts from the proposed plant. The DEIS reported that the plant would emit, among other pollutants, 330 pounds of mercury, 4,812 tons of nitrogen oxides and 6,071 tons of sulfur dioxide per year. In addition to these dangerous pollutants, the plant and the nearby Ely Energy Center would consume over 2.6 billion gallons of water each year – an amount that would greatly affect an arid state already struggling with water issues. The Nevada Clean Energy Coalition (NCEC) is mobilizing the residents of the area against the proposed plant. The National Park Service has also raised serious concerns about the plant, based on the large impact it would have on nearby Great Basin National Park. Nevada has the second strongest renewable energy standards in the country, but Nevada Power and Sierra Pacific have yet to meet all the requirements of the law. Nevada has the opportunity to lead to the nation in renewable energy, but allowing the construction of additional coal plants would lead Nevada away from reaching its renewable resource potential.
Contact: Charles Benjamin with Western Resource Advocates at
cbenjamin@westernresources.org or Lydia Ball with the Nevada Clean Energy Coalition at
lydia.ball@sierraclub.org.
Ely Energy Center
Location: Ely
Company: Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power
Type: Conventional pulverized coal
Megawatts (MW): 1,500
Owner: Utility
More information: Like the other proposed Nevada coal plants, the construction of the Ely Energy Center would lead Nevada away from the renewable energy future that is possible. It would also have significant effects on the air and water quality in Nevada. The state is already a major producer of mercury emissions due to mining, and the Center would add 87 pounds of mercury to the air each year. Its other annual emissions would include 10.4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, 3,044 tons of nitrogen oxides, 3,044 tons of sulfuric oxides, particulates and other dangerous pollutants. Combined with the proposed White Pine plant in Ely, the two plants would consume over 2.6 billion gallons of water each year – an amount that would greatly affect an arid state already struggling with water issues. The Nevada Clean Energy Coalition (NCEC) is fighting the plant through mobilizing grassroots support and educating the public and the media.
Contact: Charles Benjamin with Western Resource Advocates at
cbenjamin@westernresources.org or Lydia Ball with the Nevada Clean Energy Coalition at
lydia.ball@sierraclub.org.
found @;
http://www.westernresourceadvocates.org/energy/coal/nevada.php additional info @;
http://www.nevadacleanenergy.com/index.html