Alexandria officials say they are considering a court challenge to an Environmental Protection Agency decision made public last week that will allow the coal-burning Mirant power plant in thecity to operate all five of its generators.
The plant, which has only been using two generators since a shutdown in 2005 because of public health concerns, can now operate all of its generators depending on weather conditions. Officials said operating the plant at full capacity will have an adverse effect on Alexandria’s environment and public health.
“It would be so nice if the feds and the state could help us out a bit. Instead, they seem to be helping a polluting station,” said City Council Member Del Pepper. “There is no part of this that works for Alexandria. We’re just not happy.”
Pepper said the city was not made aware of the agreement until the official announcement Friday.
City spokesman Brian Hannigan said Alexandria would undertake its own studies to determine the environmental impact of the decision.
“We’re going to be consulting with our own environmental experts to try to obtain more objective data on what is likely to occur when the increased operation takes place,” he said.
Hannigan said Mirant’s claims that a new technological process in which a chemical is used to reduce harmful emissions is unproven.
“We think there are significant problems with this,” he said. “We don’t believe it’s been shown to be effective on the scale that it’s envisioned.”
At a glance
» Operating at full capacity, generators at the plant can produce 485 megawatts.
» The plant supplies electricity to government buildings in the District.
dfrancis@dcexaminer.com
