Oregon Sets Example with Coal Plant Closure

Portland General Electric and environmental groups have agreed to settle a lawsuit over emissions at Oregon's only coal-fired power plant, a deal that helps ensure the plant's early closure by the end of 2020, per the Oregonian's report on July 19, 2011.

Boardman (the plant in question) is Oregon's largest stationary source of greenhouse gases and a big contributor to haze and acid rain the Columbia River Gorge.  "For the first time, we will no longer have to rely on PGE's gentleman's promise" to close the plant early, said Lauren Goldberg, a staff attorney with Columbia Riverkeeper.

This court action is a milestone for those in favor of shifting away from our reliance on coal and forcing big government and the energy industry to listen to our demands.

Some facts about the Boardman plant:

• In 2003, PGE Boardman released 5 million tons of CO₂.
• PGE Boardman is the single largest source of SO₂ emissions in Oregon.  In 2001, PGE Boardman released 17,821 tons of SO₂.
• SO₂ destabilizes heart rhythms.
• SO₂ is linked to low birth weight and increased risk of infant death.
• According to EPA, PGE Boardman is responsible for 35% of the NO_x emissions statewide and emits over 5 times as much NO_x as the next highest emitting source.
• PGE Boardman released 164 tons of PM2.5 and 239 tons of PM10 in 1999.
• PM crosses from the lungs into the bloodstream resulting in inflammation of the cardiac system, a root cause of cardiac disease including heart attack and stroke.
• 90% of the deaths attributable to NO_x, SO₂, and PM pollution from power plants could be avoided with the installation of today’s best available emissions controls. 
• EPA estimates that attainment of the more protective health standards for fine particles alone could save 15,000 lives per year.

Original Article:
http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/07/pge_settles_lawsuit_over_emiss.html

Source for Boardman Facts:
http://legacy.lclark.edu/org/nedc/pge.html