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When the news story of a federal court in the District of Columbia repealing EPA’s Clean Air Interstate Rules (CAIR) regulations hit the airways at the end of last week, many people were wondering just what message was being communicated. The ’05 CAIR was put in place after years of environmental group pressure on legislators and utilities to clean up smokestack emissions. The regulation, comprised of a “cap and trade” system designed by EPA Air Quality experts, was primarily directed at Eastern and Midwestern states heavily dependent on coal-fueled electric generation plants. The sulfur dioxide emitted from these plants has long been under scrutiny for producing “acid rain,” which contributes to environmental damage to surface waters and subsequent environments.
For those actively involved with resistance to the siting of a coal ash landfill here in Vernon County, we were hopeful that the repeal of these rules could buy our local utility (Dairyland Power Cooperative), government officials, and our community some time to establish alternative measures. Ron Hoff, DPC’s Environmental Affairs director, communicated to the Vernon County Solid Waste Committee on 7/17 that DPC is moving forward with its plans to implement the scrubber at its Genoa plant, which means it will continue the process for siting a coal ash landfill site in Vernon County. In light of the court’s repeal, utilities now have a window of opportunity to review the effectiveness of present technologies being used for emissions compliance. It is almost certain that future rewritten legislation will include expanded emissions reductions. With DPC staying the course on its scrubber project, it is clear that it is once again short-sighted in its approach to environmentally responsible electrical generation.
While there are no silver-bullet solutions for meeting the present and future demands for electricity, I argue that not enough is being done to implement known alternative technologies to supplement our unquenchable thirst for electricity. Utilities like to put the blame on environmentalists for promoting “greener” technologies that they say are insignificant in the big picture of electrical demand, while painting a rosy picture of investment in renewable technology. Let’s acknowledge the primary goal in providing you a service is maintaining the power to control while continuing to be profitable.
It’s unfortunate that our nation has successfully sold its inhabitants policies that remove us from personal responsibility while stripping reasonable, responsible, and affordable energy options. It’s not too late to be heard!
Gary Thompson
Water Quality Monitoring coordinator
Valley Stewardship Network,
Viroqua
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