June 4, 2010
Emily Peter
Abilene Reporter-News
Tenaska’s Trailblazer power plant isn’t expected to foul the ozone over Nolan County and the Big Country, according to testimony Friday by a natural resource specialist with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
"Ozone is more of a regional problem," said Daniel Menendez, who audited part of Tenaska’s application for an air-quality permit.
He explained Trailblazer is in a remote location far from other parts of Texas that already have ozone problems, such as Dallas.
He said Trailblazer will emit greenhouse gases, "but one facility would not cause concern for Nolan County and beyond."
Menendez offered his testimony on the third day of a hearing, which is part of the process for TCEQ to decide whether approve the air quality permit Tenaska needs to start construction.
Attorneys for opposition groups worked to discredit Menendez’ testimony, noting he admitted he’s not an "ozone expert" and that his testimony was based on his own background knowledge rather than hard numbers comparing Trailblazer to comparable facilities.
Many Sweetwater-area residents fear an epidemic of health and environment issues should Tenaska build the $3.5 billion coal-fired facility. Tenaska’s cutting-edge technology expects to trap 85 to 90 percent of its carbon dioxide emissions and sell it to Permian Basin oil companies to use in drilling.
Opposition groups — including the Sierra Club and the Multi-County Coalition — point out other Trailblazer emissions will escape into the atmosphere.
The Environmental Protection Agency is starting to put more federal regulations on those emissions, but MCC attorney Wendi Hammond pointed out Trailblazer’s permit application wasn’t prepared with those forthcoming regulations in mind.
Specifically, EPA is enacting limits on sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, which could have harmful effects at certain levels.
"Did anyone at TCEQ ask to abate this matter in light of all the pending EPA changes?" Hammond asked.
Menendez said he wasn’t aware of anyone who did but noted the EPA regulations have a long development process before they are in final form.
Hammond questioned another TCEQ witness about potential harmful effects of specific items on the long list of chemicals Tenaska has listed for Trailblazer operations.
"These compounds can primarily cause respiratory irritation," answered toxicology expert Jong-Song Lee. "That’s the major effect — if that."
He said most of Tenaska’s proposed chemicals didn’t require extensive tests in plant plans because early calculations didn’t reveal dangerous emission levels.
TCEQ approves 97 percent of air quality permit applications like the one Tenaska seeks, according to the Sierra Club. TCEQ helps companies prepare their permit applications to work within state standards.
When the hearing continues Monday, opposition groups will present witnesses testifying about global warming and an alternative system for breaking down coal.
Sweetwater-area landowners Marilyn and David Starkey trekked to Austin to sit in on the hearing, where Hammond represents them.
"I’m glad we came to hear these people and see the process," David Starkey said. "I don’t think it’s a good process. I don’t think it takes care of the Texas environment. I don’t think it’s oriented toward the people of Texas. I think it’s oriented toward letting business do what they want."
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