The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Department
State House Boston, MA 02133
(617) 725-4000
MITT ROMNEY
GOVERNOR
KERRY HEALEY
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 6, 2003
CONTACT:
Shawn Feddeman
Jodi Charles
(617) 725-4025
Katie Cahill (ENV)
(617) 626-1126
ROMNEY, HEALEY ENFORCE POWER PLANT REGULATIONS
DEP denies PG&E request for two-year delay
SALEM - Pledging to make clean air and public health a priority, Governor Mitt Romney today announced that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has rejected a request by Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to delay tough new regulations aimed at cleaning up one of the state's oldest and dirtiest power plants.
Romney said that he and Doug Foy, Chief of Commonwealth Development, personally informed PG&E executives earlier this week of the DEP decision to deny their request for a two-year extension on the clean up of the Salem Harbor plant, encouraging them instead to convert the Salem Harbor power plant to cleaner energy.
“If the choice is between dirty power plants or protecting the health of the people of Massachusetts, there is no choice in my mind,” said Romney. “I will always come down on the side of public health.” Romney noted that strict regulations at the so-called “Filthy Five” power plants were first outlined in 2001 to bring the facilities in line with emission standards for newer plants. The standards, designed to fight air pollution and reduce pollutants that contribute to acid rain, haze and global climate changed, called for significant reductions in nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and mercury at the six plants.
After the regulations were promulgated, PG&E submitted a plan to clean up the Salem Harbor plant by October 2004, which was approved by the DEP. PG&E subsequently filed a new proposal, requesting a two-year compliance extension. After collecting public comment on the PG&E plan, DEP rejected it.
Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, a North Shore resident, agreed with the decision, saying, “PG&E submitted a plan in January of last year aimed at meeting new lower emissions levels by October 2004. The citizens of Massachusetts expect them to honor that plan.”
Romney said that the Salem Harbor plant is responsible for 53 premature deaths, 570 emergency room visits and 14,400 asthma attacks each year. He also pointed out that coal and oil fired plants contribute significantly more air pollution than their gas fired counterparts, exacerbating acid rain and global warming.
In order to protect the public health, Romney said he will “enforce without compromise” the regulations.
“These regulations will help clean the air for Massachusetts' citizens, improving their health and creating a better living situation,” said Doug Foy, Chief of Commonwealth Development.
In addition to the Salem Harbor plant, the “Filthy Five” regulations apply to the following plants: Mystic Station in Everett; Montaup Station in Somerset; Brayton Point in Somerset; Mount Tom Station in Holyoke; and Canal Electric in Sandwich.
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