07/22/2013
EPA TAKES AIM AT MUSKOGEE POWER PLANT
It should be no secret by now that the Obama administration believes that it needs to break America’s addiction to fossil fuels, and exchanging those with alternative energy sources. In interviews, the president has seemed to imply that the coal industry must be eliminated if America is ever going to be able to break its dependence on fossil fuels. So this begs the question; to what extent is the administration willing to go to make the dreams of renewable energy a reality?
In an interview in 2008, Barack Obama gave us a glimpse of his plan for moving the country forward to renewable, alternative energy sources. His statement was as follows,
“So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can. It’s just going to bankrupt them because they’re going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that’s being emitted. That will also generate billions of dollars that we can invest in solar, wind, biodiesel, and other alternative energy approaches.”
Essentially, what he was saying is that the plans are to let the EPA levy incredible fines against coal-burning power plants for the purpose of funding the administration’s new energy agenda. Power plants like ours here in Muskogee will fall victim; even to the point of bankruptcy if necessary. This is no farce. Since 2012, over 375 units in 38 states have already been shut down. This accounts for 35% of the U.S. coal fleet. A complete list of shutdowns by state can be found at http://www.americaspower.org/sites/default/files/Coal_Unit_Retirements_July_10_2013.pdf.
Far-fetched, you say? Well, let’s think about it for a second. If your goal were to drive America away from fossil fuels, and on to a new source of energy, how would you do it? Well, you could start by bankrupting the coal industry. Seriously, you ask? And, just how would you go about bankrupting the coal industry? It’s actually very simple. You eliminate the demand for coal by bringing down the largest purchasers of coal; power plants. And, how do you bring down the power plants? You simply allow the EPA to levy tremendous fines for regulations that are nearly impossible to meet. And, this is when you realize that the president wasn’t just blowing smoke when he laid out his plans back in 2008. The goal of bankrupting the coal industry to make way for alternative energy is actually very feasible. Recent events would suggest that the current administration has already started the process of doling out fines. These fines and lawsuits will be needed to raise the “BILLIONS” of dollars that the President’s “approaches” call for.
The recent lawsuit by the EPA against OG&E in Muskogee, OK, should be VERY concerning to anyone that is paying attention. This action has WAY more to do with politics than emissions. A couple of Oklahoma plants have recently been sued by the EPA for the release of “pollutants”. Scott Pruit, our state attorney general, proposed a set of operating guidelines to the courts, but those submissions were denied. The courts essentially determined that the EPA was well within its jurisdiction to enforce whatever burdensome regulations it sees fit. This is just another example where an arm of the federal government has trumped and trampled our states’ rights. Nonetheless, the Beyond Coal Campaign appears to be in full swing, and our local plant is already feeling the effects.
Muskogee power plant began operation in 1924. Today it provides reliable, low-cost power for thousands of Oklahomans. OG&E provides economic and philanthropic support to the Muskogee-Fort Gibson community. The Muskogee Plant employs about 165 people, with a total payroll budget of around $16 million. OG&E’s taxes benefit schools, county government, emergency medical services and city tax bases. Taxes paid by OG&E in the Muskogee-Fort Gibson area total about $9.2 million. OG&E representatives reach hundreds of students every year with school safety programs. The company also provides teacher grants, and helps schools with electricity bills through SmartHours and non-demand, low rates. Muskogee members contribute their time as dedicated volunteers. Members fundraise for United Way, and feed the hungry by holding food drives, and by taking on group volunteer projects. Individually, they are volunteer firefighters, school board officials, nonprofit advocates and community leaders. OG&E is one of the largest employers in Muskogee County. Those employees pay sales tax when they purchase items, and that sales tax money is used to run our cities and counties. Tax dollars from the plant goes to our schools so our children can receive quality educations. OG&E has a huge effect on the local economy. Imagine our community without this economic staple. It is too easy to only think of OG&E as our local source of electricity. But, the unfortunate truth is that this coal-powered plant does WAY more than just keep the lights on. It is a vital part of our local, economic formula.
It is vital that we make everyone aware of the recent attacks on our community. At best, we are looking at HUGE increases in our power costs, and there are concerns of the plant being shut down like others across the nation. Please call your senator, congressmen, state legislators, etc. to let them know that this is unacceptable. We need to fight tooth and toenail to protect our local economy and our way of life.
Muskogee Power Plant and the Environment: 6 Myths You Can Help Debunk
Myth: Muskogee Power Plant emissions exceed EPA ambient standards.
FACT: Continuous Emissions Monitors on our stacks and ambient monitoring devices that capture actual emissions data used by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) show that OG&E is in compliance. In addition, a letter dated February 7, 2013, from the EPA Regional Administrator to Governor Mary Fallin states: “The EPA’s review of the most recent monitored air quality data from 2009-2011 shows no violations of the 2010 SO2 standard in any areas in Oklahoma.”
Myth: OG&E uses “dirty coal.”
FACT: The company’s coal plants only burn ultra-low-sulfur coal from Wyoming, which results in much lower SO2 emissions than coal burned by many other utilities. In fact, according to publicly available monitoring data from ODEQ, OG&E has actually reduced its SO2 emissions by more than 20 percent since 1996.
Myth: The air around Muskogee is highly polluted.
FACT: According to the American Lung Association’s 2013 State of the Air report, Muskogee is ranked among“Cleanest Counties for Short-term Particle Pollution,” and received a grade of A for having zero high-particle pollution days from 2009-2011.
Myth: The Sierra Club’s air modeling study is an accurate, representative depiction of the impact of Muskogee Power Plant’s emissions.
FACT: Models like those recently used by Sierra Club are based on assumptions, or “what ifs,” and can produce multiple outcomes, bad or good. Monitoring, on the other hand, is based on actual, measured data from emissions measuring devices and provides an accurate picture of current conditions. Actual monitoring data from the ODEQ shows OG&E – and all of Oklahoma – is complying with the laws.
Myth: We could scrap coal, and all fossil fuels, and rely solely on wind power to meet electricity demand.
FACT: OG&E believes in fuel diversity. Although wind power accounts for about 12 percent of OG&E’s generation capacity, there are some days when the winds simply don’t blow. Coal and natural gas can still provide power to customers.
Myth: Muskogee Power Plant is polluting the local waterways.
FACT: The Muskogee facility strives to be a responsible consumer and user of water, a precious resource in the state of Oklahoma. Water use, consumption and discharge at Muskogee is controlled by both state and federal laws and permits. In fact, our most recent waste-water discharge permit was renewed in 2011. OG&E meets all water discharge parameters set by the EPA and ODEQ. In addition, the plant reuses as much water as possible in order to limit discharge. The EPA’s Effluent Guidelines, which govern waste-water discharges, are currently under review. The company is aware of the review, and will comply with any changes to the guidelines.
