Your action is needed by Jan. 23: TCEQ has scheduled a hearing to renew the air pollution permit for the W.A. Parish coal plant, which is one of the 10 worst polluting coal plants in the nation. Please submit comments online or at the hearing on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 6pm. The location is Reading Junior High School, 8101 FM 762 Road in Richmond, Texas 77469 (about 30 miles southwest of Houston). Make comments online by Jan. 23.
The W.A. Parish coal plant in Texas, one of the largest coal-fired power plants in the United States, has faced myriad issues over the years. These problems typically fall into environmental, health, and operational categories:
1. Air Pollution
- Emissions of Greenhouse Gases: W.A. Parish is a significant emitter of carbon dioxide (CO₂), contributing to climate change. Despite efforts to install carbon capture technology (such as the Petra Nova project), only a portion of emissions has been mitigated.
- Other Pollutants: The plant releases sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and particulate matter, which contribute to air quality issues such as smog and acid rain.
2. Water Pollution and Usage
- Thermal Pollution: The plant uses large quantities of water for cooling, potentially affecting local water temperatures and aquatic ecosystems.
- Coal Ash Contamination: The storage of coal combustion residuals (coal ash) can lead to groundwater contamination if not properly managed.
3. Health Concerns
- Respiratory Issues: Air pollutants from the plant, such as fine particulate matter, are linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
- Toxic Exposure: The release of mercury and other heavy metals pose long-term health risks to nearby communities.
4. Operational Challenges
- Carbon Capture Challenges: The Petra Nova carbon capture project, launched at W.A. Parish to reduce CO₂ emissions, faced financial and operational hurdles. It was suspended in 2020 due to low oil prices, which undermined the economic viability of the captured CO₂ being used for enhanced oil recovery.
- Aging Infrastructure: As an older coal plant, W.A. Parish faces efficiency and maintenance issues compared to newer energy technologies.
5. Regulatory and Legal Issues
- Environmental Violations: The plant has faced lawsuits and fines for violations of environmental regulations, including allegations of excessive pollution and failure to meet air quality standards.
- Transition Pressures: Increasing regulatory pressures and market trends favoring renewable energy have put economic strain on coal plants like W.A. Parish.
6. Economic Viability
- Competition with Renewables: The growing competitiveness of solar, wind, and natural gas has made coal-fired power plants less economically viable.
- Costs of Retrofitting: Upgrading old infrastructure to meet modern environmental standards can be costly.
Tell TCEQ there is no place for W.A. Parish’s dirty coal in Texas’ energy mix.