Please write letters to the editor NOW (talking points below)

We need media coverage about permitting problems with Healy Coal Plant No. 2 through letters to the editor and op-eds from citizens who want to assure that Healy’s operations will not harm air quality or pose a danger to public health.

Messages should not focus on wholescale abandonment of the project, but rather that, if Healy 2 ever does start up, it must have proper technology and its operations must be consistent with Clean Air Act requirements in order to protect human health and safety and environmental quality.

Please write letters to the editor NOW (talking points below).

Asking DEC and EPA to make sure the Healy permits are stringent enough to comply with the Clean Air Act and protect public health and the environment.

Demanding that the plant not be allowed to renew and apply its outdated existing permit, which was granted 10 years ago, to a different plant, with different combustion technologies.

Demanding that GVEA and AIDEA apply for new permits that comply with Clean Air Act requirements in the interests of public health and the environment.

Contacts:
Peninsula Clarion
Dori Lynn Anderson, Editor
http://www.peninsulaclarion.com/feedback/directory.shtml

Cinthia Ritchie, Seward Phoenix Log
critchie(emailAT)alaskanewspapers.com

Jenny Neyman, Redoubt Reporter
redoubtreporter(emailAT)alaska.net
phone: 394-6397

Homer News
Lori Evans, Editor
lori.evans(emailAT)homernews.com

Homer Tribune
Editor
spearson(emailAT)homertribune.com


Talking Points

Alaskans have a right to breathe clean air. Healy was designed to burn waste coal under a permit that was granted more than 10 years ago. The only way to ensure that air quality and public health are protected is to subject the plant to a new permitting process that fully analyzes the proposal and ensures current, more-protective standards are met. Coal is dirty. Burning coal releases mercury and carbon dioxide emissions into our air, into our lungs, and into our food supply. GVEA is taking the position that no new permit is required to begin operating Healy Coal Plant No. 2. Without proper permitting, air quality and public health will be compromised.

The Healy Plant has been closed for ten years. The technology is questionable. It’s just common sense to ask to ensure that public health, clean air and clean water are protected from outdated technology.
The Healy plant has been closed for 10 years and its decade-old technology was not designed to mitigate the more recent health concerns of mercury and carbon dioxide emissions. Healy’s technology was not clean 10 years ago – that’s part of the reason the plant never started up full operations –and is not clean today. Under these circumstances, it is logical that new permits are issued before this plant can operate safely.

DEC has an obligation to make sure its permits protect public health and ensure clean air and water .
DEC is obligated to protect public health and the environment through its permitting process for the Healy Coal Plant No. 2. Before the plant is allowed to operate, DEC must carefully review its permits to make sure air quality protections under the Clean Air Act are guaranteed. The Healy plant can pull the switch only when it can be shown that its permits meet Clean Air Act standards and requirement.

Communities and park lands are at risk from air pollution unless we make sure Healy runs clean.
GVEA and AIDEA have a moral obligation to ensure that Healy is properly permitted in a manner that protects public health – particularly pregnant women, the young and the elderly – clean air and clean water from mercury emissions and other toxic pollutants.

GVEA will pass additional costs of start up and environmental compliance onto ratepayers. Ratepayers should know how much their rates will go up and what they will have to pay for permitting the plant to comply with new environmental standards, and other start up costs. Ratepayers have the right to know how their rates will be affected before HEA commits to a power sharing agreement.

Your vote is very important

HEA Board Elections Are Coming Up!

Mail-in Ballots will be sent to you soon.

Your vote is very important.

It's your chance to reform the way our coop does business.
Take time to learn which candidates share your concerns.

District 1: Alan J. Bute, Andrew Patrick
District 2: Jim Fassler, Terrance L. Johnson, Edward (Ed) V. Oberts, William (Bill) H. Tappan (incumbent)
District 3: Stephen (Steve) A. Franklin, Eugene (Jim) Levine, Peter (Pete) Roberts, Donald P. Seelinger (incumbent), Doug Stark
(ballot statements available at http://www.homerelectric.com/)

Which candidates support HEA Members Forum objectives?

Let's take a look, starting with District 3 (Clam Gulch, south). We'll look at Districts 1 & 2 soon.

Jim Levine says:

To achieve our goal of stable rates and clean, reliable energy we must eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels.

Jim Levine favors:

• Developing a diversified mix of renewables
• HEA taking a more active role to promote energy conservation
• Establishing policies for openness and transparency.

Jim Levine clearly shares HEAMF concerns and priorities!


Pasted below is a brief message I received from Jim. My apologies if you already received it directly from him.

Mike

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Hi Everyone,

As some of you are aware, I am running for the Homer Electric Association Board of Directors position. I feel very strongly that HEA should be taking a more in depth look at renewable energy generation systems before getting involved in a coal generation system in Healy. I have put together a website, LevineForHEA.com, that includes a few papers that I have prepared outlining my position regarding electrical power generation, and links to sites that show some of the potential we have for renewable energy systems here in Homer. In preparing for this election I have come to realize that we have so much potential to produce, and conserve, so much energy right here on the Kenai Peninsula. I have also included a site that shows one small portion of the problems that are posed by coal generation systems.

If you would like to be a part of this campaign, please call me at 299-0323, or email me at jlevine(emailAT)jaybrant.com. I would be glad to talk to you about all the exciting possibilities for the Kenai Peninsula in regards to electrical power generation.

Jim Levine