Black and gold dust
by M. Stewart
An ORL reader apprised me of a recent editorial in the Roanoke Times regarding coal-to-liquid fuel conversion technology. Although editorials are by definition opinion pieces, this one might be worth noting given that Roanoke is located near the Southwest Virginia coal fields, an area that should be happy about the prospects of new coal technologies.
Read Billion dollar boondoggle for yourself.
With all the excitement surrounding the economic stimulus expected from the proposed coal conversion plant in Wellsville, questions about the environmental impact have not been asked.
Before we get to the highly politicized matter of greenhouse gas emissions, consider that village residents have complained for years about the coal dust associated with the relatively small offloading operation at Wellsville Terminal. We’ll have to assume that the coal dust issue can only get worse once they start offloading and transporting coal through town to feed the conversion plant.
Given that the $8 billion investment in the conversion plant is far more than the entire town of Wellsville is worth, it’s not likely that anyone will care about complaints from residents once the plant is built. So now is the time to ask questions.
An ORL reader apprised me of a recent editorial in the Roanoke Times regarding coal-to-liquid fuel conversion technology. Although editorials are by definition opinion pieces, this one might be worth noting given that Roanoke is located near the Southwest Virginia coal fields, an area that should be happy about the prospects of new coal technologies.
Read Billion dollar boondoggle for yourself.
With all the excitement surrounding the economic stimulus expected from the proposed coal conversion plant in Wellsville, questions about the environmental impact have not been asked.
Before we get to the highly politicized matter of greenhouse gas emissions, consider that village residents have complained for years about the coal dust associated with the relatively small offloading operation at Wellsville Terminal. We’ll have to assume that the coal dust issue can only get worse once they start offloading and transporting coal through town to feed the conversion plant.
Given that the $8 billion investment in the conversion plant is far more than the entire town of Wellsville is worth, it’s not likely that anyone will care about complaints from residents once the plant is built. So now is the time to ask questions.
posted by M. | 4:33 PM
10 Comments:
What are they going to do with the bi products ? Are they going to refine the coal tar on sight or truck it to a Koppers plant? Something is startig to smell awfully strange around Wellsville! Canyou smeel napthalene?
Nobody around here cares about the environment. We need jobs. Don't mess this up by putting things in peoples heads.
That's basically what I said but my earlier comment isn't on here.
Asking questions is one thing; witch hunts are something else again and exactly what happened with WTI, the correctional facility that went to Wintersville, Cogentrix...how many other businesses have we lost due to narrow-mindedness and fear of progress?
WTI is the perfect example. High-quality, high-paying jobs, a huge tax revenue source, a very active member of the community (you ever realize how many things are sponsored by WTI?), and no threat to our health.
A bigger threat to the people's health in the area is lack of proper nutrition from an inability to purchase healthier foods.
Wellsville could have had the railroad yards. People complained, and Conway got them.
Please do not misunderstand me. I'm not suggesting anyone should call a halt to the coal conversion project, but Wellsville residents should ask quality-of-life questions before this huge investment is made, not after. If residents don't care, which seems to be the case, then they should be prepared to accept the environmental consequences, whatever they might be.
REMINDER: No anonymous comments will be posted.
What are the emissions from this plant going to be?
Paula--
I'm not sure. I had hoped the newspapers, whose employees are paid to inform the public, would take the lead on this issue. It seems, however, that they prefer to remain passive.
My point is merely that questions should be asked sooner rather than later.
The following web site should provide answers to the emissions question. Its great reading!
http://www.baardenergy.com/press/INL%20Emissions%20Analysis%20&%20Approach%20May%2018%20%202007.pdf
You can also access this site by going to http://www.baardenergy.com
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