FirstEnergy Retools Coal Plant to Burn Biomass
In a move cheered by Ohio officials, FirstEnergy Corp. has announced plans to repower Units 4 and 5 of its R.E. Burger coal-fired power plant to burn biomass to produce up to 312 MW, making the 54-year-old facility one of the nation’s largest biomass power plants and the first biomass plant in FirstEnergy’s generation portfolio (see Figure).
Not breaking news but last year's news is often next year's news to the multitude of wingerooni environmentalists in these parts who apparently would prefer to see their vision improved in West Virginia by mountaintop removal rather than putting up with clean air, waters with live fish and cold winters.
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D), who joined Alexander in announcing the decision, said FirstEnergy’s move comes at a good time for Ohio, which is one of the states hardest hit by the economic recession gripping the nation.
Fancy that. A Democrat actually interested in jobs and a clean environment. Will wonders never cease. Unfortunately there are some clouds on the horizon.
When the retrofit is completed, the Burger Plant initially will use wood wastes and other biomass to fuel the facility. FirstEnergy’s goal, however, is to operate the plant as a "closed loop" biomass plant, which means it will use fuel derived from trees grown to serve as feedstock for the biomass fuel
Dang. Guess they want to save the trash for landfills.
Well, as Clint Eastwood said in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, the worms have to eat too.
While it’s too early to call it an industry trend, a number of utilities have announced plans or have made decisions to retrofit fossil-fueled plants to use biomass.
The Sierra Club and friends are in the thick of the fight to save Old King Coal and all his friends. They know all too well the threat posed by polar bears, predator fish and cold weather:
BPA outlines MACT negatives in submitted comment
If approved as is, the U.S. EPA’s proposed Maximum Achievable Control Technology rules would drastically and unfairly increase emissions standards for biomass facilities across the country and could cause many plants to shut down, according to Bob Cleaves, CEO and president of the Biomass Power Association.
The Biomass Power Association is a lobby for well coiffed, well attired robber barons that you would think were far less trustworthy than the DFH's of the Sierra Club. You would be right, of course. But when the interests of thieves and liars line up with those of the environment, there just might be something noteworthy in their arguments.
Up to you to decide whether you want humans to continue their existence on the planet or the dirtbags in league with the environmentalists to snuff it out.
Best, Terry
P.S. A word about the Sierra Club. It has fought valiant battles against polluters and thieves but it has simply been on the wrong side in its war on baseload green energy. It is as far beyond reason as Sarah Palin claiming dinosaurs are just hiding in caves. The result could be catastrophic.