Research Paper - Glades Power Park
Glades Power Park Proposal
International College, Fort Myers, FL
Professor A. Farhadi
ENG 11001 -Monday PM
4-30-07
Mary Cosmo
Glades Powers Park Proposal
When I first heard about Glades Power Park, I though, what is it? A park, a renewable energy exhibit, never in my thoughts did I imagine FPL could be proposing a "coal-plant." The location of this coal-plant is even more disturbing, a coal-fired power plant in the headwaters of our already endangered Everglades. My second thought was, "Did somebody fall down and bump their head to have conceived such a thing?" I thought coal-plants were energy dinosaurs, proven to have devastating effects on humans, wildlife, and our planet. I was completely mortified by the thought, especially since I live less than 30 miles from the proposed site.
I brought the issue up to my Professor, when choosing a topic for my research paper that would be due at the end of the term. She also had the same reaction, amazed and intrigued by FPL's Proposal, she wanted to know more. After settling on the topic to research, I thought I should approach the situation without bias and just investigate the facts.
I attended Hendry and Glades county meeting's where ever possible. I was able to get some information, like size of the proposed Glades Power Park at 1,960 Megawatts, and it will use 5,000 acres of land. Perhaps it was a mistake when FPL representatives failed to mention how close the power plant would be to the neighboring preserves or maybe they did not feel it important enough to mention. I used the map provided by FPL and several state and county maps including Mapquest online as well as Yahoo's satellite pictures to verify the location and surrounding areas. At first glance you see Lake Okeechobee, then the Caloosahatee River, and when you look even closer you can see Fish Eating Creek. Everglades National Park and many other parks and preserves that would be adversely affected are also in close proximity.
Representative also had a very attractive color pamphlet they handed out as their public outreach strategy. As far as substantial information on it, well it was lacking some important facts as well as misinformation of what is on the site certification application to the state. I'm sure it was a mistake when the coal price is stated in 1999 to be at $1.60 and then in 2005 at $1.69. The missing information however is $1.06 and $1.69 per what? As well as, noting that coal prices only increased about 6%. When in fact on the application to the state notes coal prices in 1999 at $16.63 per short ton and in 2005 at $23.59. In my calculating that is a lot more than a 6% increase and more like a 42% increase.
In addition, the pamphlet also informs the public that there is a need to diversify our fuel sources. Ok, I understand the whole diversifying fuel source to decrease America's dependency on foreign oil. Which brings me to the fact that FPL stated their source of coal will be Columbia, Poland and the Appalachian Region. The last time I checked Columbia and Poland are still foreign countries. This makes me wonder if it is cheaper to import coal than it would be to ship by train to South Florida.
Florida's railroad is another topic I will only touch on. It has been said that the Florida rail system would need a $825 million upgrade to handle the increase train traffic and weight for the transportation of coal (Direct testimony at PSC).
The plant will need a water source that will supply 26 million gallons per day and is the reason they choose this site. Keep 26 million gallons per day in mind, when you can only water your lawn 2 days a week because of the South Florida water restrictions due to South Florida's record breaking drought. Lake Okeechobee continues to set a new record low each dry day that passes. As well as, how waste water would be injected back into the Floridian Aquifer and FPL claims this is a very safe thing to do. Ok, the Floridian Aquifer is deeper than ground water, but this can not be good.
I also attended the Florida Public Service Commission hearing on April 16th, 2007, where the commission is to determine if the proposed plant would be the most cost effective, and the right type of plant. What an experience, to see our Capital and see it in action. I am very proud to say, after seeing our Madam Chairman and Commissioners in action, I am confident they will make the right determination for Glades Power Park as long as they wait until all the operating costs are submitted before they issue their final decision.
Sadly, the PSC is required to issue their decision before the FDEP Air Division and South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) issues theirs. The DEP will make recommendations regarding Best Available Control Technology (BACT) needed to prevent significant deterioration of the air quality (PSD). The pollution control will most likely be more expensive than FPL predicts. The SFWMD will likely require FPL to draw cooling water from a deeper layer of the Floridan aquifer, a layer with higher dissolved solids content, which will increase the predicted costs of treating the water. Neither of these operational costs will be addressed in the PSC decision if that decision is made in June as the DEP and SFWMD will not be issuing their recommendations until July. (Ruff, 2007)
As in my research, Everglades restoration is a high priority to our new Governor Charlie Crist's agenda and has since proposed a environmental budget that includes $400 million, an increase of $100 million over current funding levels, for Florida Forever, a land conservation program, to preserve natural resources; $100 million for Everglades restoration; $50 million -double current funding levels - to expand Lake Okeechobee's water-storage areas and treatment marshes; and $40 million to improve the environmental health of the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers, which are important estuaries that affect the quality of life and economy of nearby communities (Crist, 2007). After finding this information, I testified that a coal plant runs counter to the states efforts for "clean" renewable energy sources.
At all the meetings I attended in Glades County and/or held by FPL I felt like I was not getting the whole story and a lot of what was being presented to the public was well presented "FLUFF." I felt patronized, especially at the Glades County Board of Commissioners "Special Meeting," otherwise know as FPL Glades Power Park public information meeting held on Tuesday, February 20th, 2007. Christopher M. Teaf, Ph.D., Hazardous Substance & Waste Management Research, Inc., made a horrifying statement concerning the mercury levels that would be emitted. He stated, "that the mercury emitted from Glades Power Park would be so small it is insignificant, and the kind of mercury that would be emitted is "not the kind that is toxic to humans." Even I know, when mercury is combined with Florida's ecosystem it is transformed into the methyl mercury, the form which is bio-accumulated in the food chain. Like I said earlier, "FLUFF" is all I got out of meetings held by Glades County or FPL.
In addition, the public at each meeting was told if you want more information their site certification application is posted online, it is public knowledge. So, being the curios George as I am and needing substantial evidence for my paper I decided to look it up. The college has high speed internet and it took about 45 minutes the first time I tried downloading the application. Then something happened, a slight disturbance in the network perhaps. I had to start all over. I finally downloaded the application and the file was so large even the college network was unable to handle the file. A little over 2 hours later I was able to get it to print out so I could view it without disruption from the network. International College, as all colleges have top of the line computers in their libraries for all the research need to be done by students. And not everyone has top of the line internet service.
Now think about the rural area where all these meetings are being held and the public is being told if they have more questions to look up their site application. Also note, this rural area does not have access to high speed internet even if they have computers. Most residences with computers are still using dial-up. There are no service providers in the most of the rural areas for high speed. I did have a friend who was lucky enough to have no interruptions while downloading the application. But, she did tell me it took three days to do so. The average resident is not about to spend the time to do this. They have families, job's, and bills that demand their attention. Again, maybe this was the strategy, I would be speculating. But it should not be so difficult for the average resident to get accurate detailed information instead of "FLUFF."
Let me bring you up to speed with some well documented facts concerning mercury and the many other pollutants this power park will contribute to our South Florida's already degrading Everglades water quality. Glades Power Park will add 180 lbs of Mercury (hg) per year along with the other pollutants to a state already under a statewide consumption advisory due to mercury contamination (Department of Health). The EPA states that two-thirds of mercury contamination is from made-made sources, such as power plants
Dr. Bellamy a physician in Tallahassee testified at the Florida Public Service Commission hearing on April 16th, 2007, "one teaspoon of mercury will contaminate most any lake. It doesn't take much. And we are talking about a compound which is difficult to remove ever from the body." He goes on to state, "all the people who are involved in the sports fishing industry and tourism related to the environment have to be worried about the adverse environmental effects on them." Public Service Commissioner Carter asked Dr Bellamy, "do all power plants emit some form of mercury." Dr Bellamy answered, "natural gas is pretty clean in that regard, yes. But the coal plants are the worst by far and the pulverized coals are the worst of the worst." The coal plant if approved would be a pulverized coal plant.
So why would FLP publicly state that the pulverized coal is "state-of-the-art" and "advanced technology," and I have even heard "clean." In addition, FPL does not deny the facts that have been submitted in their site certification application to the state that Glades Power Park will in fact emit the following pollutants: Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) 3,049 tons per year, Particulate Matter (PM) Over 1,000 tons per year, Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) 3,049 tons per year, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 16 million tons per year, and mercury (Hg) 180 lbs per year. My definition of "clean" has a whole different meaning. If this is FPL's definition of "clean," I would hate to see what their meaning is of hazardous waste is.
Not to my surprise, I happen to find that too in my search. Although this topic was omitted in any public meeting, it is stated on their site certification application to the state, GPP will create a byproduct of hazardous waste that is to be stored in containers under ground at the plant site. That's 350 Acres of byproduct in containers underground over the expected plant life of 50 years. Each year the plant will fill one container over and the first year of operation the plant will create 2 containers.
At 1,960 MW this plant will be the largest coal plant in Florida, one of the four largest world-wide and essentially one of the largest pollutant contributing to the contamination of the Everglades "river of grass," South Florida, and Global warming. Seems to me if the Glades Power Park where to be approved, I think our state should have a warning sign as you enter from the interstates instead of "Welcome to Florida, the sunshine state," it should read, "Warning: Florida a Toxic Environment, Do not eat the fish!"
Previously I have explained why there is such a need for concern, now I want to share with you why certain people want Glades Power Park. My inner voice is singing, "money, money, money." With all the facts I have given you earlier, let me ask "you" a question and by "you" I mean as a business owner in the tourism industry, young or old mother and father wanting to give your children the best you can, residents of South Florida. Is the all mighty dollar worth putting your self and family at risk? I think not. The only thing that should be worth risking your health, well being, and even you life is for your family's protection!
Glades Power Park has presented Glades County with the opportunity of collecting a rather large property tax and the creation of about 200 jobs, this information is plastered in all local papers, such as: Glades County Democrat, The Caloosa Belle and Clewistons News. I have yet to see anything printed in the outer county papers. As well as, everyone I ask seems to be shocked by this proposal and had no idea that this was happening. This makes me wonder if this is a part of the strategy to receive less resistance from South Florida residents.
At the Public Service Commission I spoke of earlier, Tommy Perry with the Citizens Power Coalition of Glades County gave some rather interesting testimony. He stated, "I brought with me today a thousand signed petition from people living in Glades County or surrounding counties, people that are living there fill-time and part-time." I was intrigued that a thousand residents actually had knowledge of the proposed plant. It is possible that I would not know anyone that would have signed a petition for this plant. But of coarse I do not know anyone affiliated with FPL or any county and city employees either. I am a citizen of Hendry County and have a few friends living in Glades County. But, we are busy with our lives, families, and jobs. I would be speculating at this point; however. I would bet that each signature on the petition Citizens Power Coalition of Glades County would be that of FPL or Glades County, City employees or any of their affiliates. Signatures of approval from individuals that stand to benefit financially in someway or another raises more ethical questions. He claimed that this represented a majority of the county. My calculation of 1000 supporters out of 11,000 residents in Glades County equals about 10%. To me 10% of the residence is more like the minority and not the majority.
Mr. Perry also testified, "it was hard to find people to support something like this, yet we did not have a hard time finding people to come to this meeting today." Mr. Perry was proud to testify that the other members to attend included: Glades County Commissioners, school board, property appraiser's office, and the city of Moore Haven. Why was I not surprised? I could only wonder if these individuals are still getting paid for the day they are spending at this hearing.
I know for a fact, the opposing citizens that traveled the 7 hour trip to Tallahassee missed out on, at the very least, 16 hrs of work. And I know of several people who would have loved to go, yet could not afford to take "any" time off or could afford to pay for gas for the trip. It is a rural county and the majority of the citizens are barley making ends meet. If the citizens are in such support of Glades Power Park, where were they to speak out?
Let me tell you where they where. They were in Glades and Hendry County getting ready for work, getting the kids to school, going to work, coming home, feeding the family, and off to bed. Then they do it again the next day. There is not time to sit and read the paper or stay up late a watch the news; as well as, being conditioned to the track record of local government when a large amount of ad valorum is proposed.
Larry Luckey, another Glades County official testified, "I went to every meeting in every community, and all of them expressed to me very much support." When FPL representatives came to my community and several other meeting I attended, I did not see Mr. Luckey. As for the support, that seemed to be absent as well. When I returned from Tallahassee I decided to test the theory of the local citizens being fully aware of and supporting the Glades Power Park, as was testified by the Glades County Commissioners. First I drove through Moore Haven and stopped in to the Burger King to get something to eat. As I was waiting for my order, the casher had no one else to help. So I took the opportunity to ask if she had heard anything about a new power plant. Her response was just as I had suspected, "No, I don't know nothing." So maybe this is a fluke, Since Glades County Commissioners all testified residence showed such great support of Glades Power Park. I also stopped and asked a farmer who was fixing his fence if he knew of anything. His reply was, "They gonna do what they wanna," "they got money and we don't"
This only confirms both of my theories. First, that the citizens of the rural county and surrounding counties are still unaware of this proposal and the devastation affects Glades Power park would have on them and their economy. Secondly, the citizens are being misinformed with incomplete details.
In conclusion, I have decided it is imperative I continue to write about my findings, as well as, the process as it happens and get it to the public. I have created a website to post my research paper, other findings, and a public blog in which people can ask questions. If the questions are too difficult, I do not claim to be an expert; However, I have made some good friends that are industry experts and would also be happy to answer question posted. I will continue to be closely involved with the community and spreading the knowledge I have learned. Stop by my site and follow the events as they happen (http://marycosmo.htmlplanet.com).