Board Calls for Coal Power Plant Moratorium
By Jens Manuel Krogstad, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa
Jan. 16–WATERLOO — The Black Hawk County Health Board, citing serious health concerns, voted to urge the state to issue a moratorium on coal power plant permits until it enacts tougher air pollution standards.
After more than a year of staying above the fray in the charged debate over a proposed 750-megawatt coal plant in northeast Waterloo, the board on Wednesday voted unanimously to recommend the state adopt tougher air quality standards, and voted 3-2 to recommend restricting coal power plant building in the state. The recommendations were made in a study commissioned by the health board on the potential health effects of the plant.
“The time has come for the health department to lead the way, set the precedent and do what is right,” said board member Mary Robinson.
The vote was another setback for LS Power, which lost a land annexation request in October.
Kathy French, LS Power director of environmental permitting, questioned the validity of the data the study based it’s conclusions on. She argued no “real data exists” that suggests adverse health effects exist under current pollution standards. She noted the Environmental Protection Agency, when setting its current standards, found no evidence of significant adverse health effects below 17 micrograms per cubic meter.
“Before a public policy decision is made, we really feel it’s valuable to look at the full picture,” she said. “We believe the information in the report is insufficient for the board to act on the proposed recommendations.”
The study, originally presented in a November public meeting, found the plant could jeopardize the health of thousands of people living or working in or near Waterloo’s northeast industrial area, including employees of the city’s two largest manufacturers, John Deere and Tyson.
Of particular concern were the proposed plant’s emissions of particulate matter — tiny airborne pollutants created by things like dirt and soot. Particulates have been linked to asthma, bronchitis, heart attacks and other pulmonary diseases, including thousands of premature deaths each year. Black Hawk County has some of the highest asthma rates in the state.
William Stigliani, the study’s author, urged the health board to recommend a lower state limit on fine particulate matter — tiny airborne pollutants created by things like dirt and soot that can cause severe health problems — to levels enforced in California.
The federal annual average limit on fine particulate matter — also called PM 2.5 — is 15 micrograms per cubic meter. In 2002, California lowered its limit to 12 micrograms per cubic meter.
The health board also voted to further study implementing its own air quality monitoring program. It also resolved to urge the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa Department of Public Health to incorporate public health standards in the process governing Iowa air standards. Read Thursday’s Courier for more details and reaction.
Contact Jens Manuel Krogstad at (319) 291-1580 or jens.krogstad@wcfcourier.com.
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