Local Pollution from Coal Burning

Indiana gets 95 percent of its electricity from coal, and Indiana's coal-fired power plant emissions rank among the five dirtiest in the nation.  Power plants spew mercury into the air when coal is burned.  Most of this mercury comes back to earth’s surface with rainfall.  Mercury does not break down to less toxic forms in the environment.  Once in the water, mercury is changed into methylmercury by bacteria and other processes.  Fish absorb methylmercury from their food and it is tightly bound to the fish’s muscles.  There is no method of cooking or cleaning fish that will reduce the mercury.

A very small amount of mercury can cause a big problem.  Just 3 grams of mercury can contaminate a 60 acre lake.  Three grams equals about 1/25 of a teaspoon.  One drop of mercury can make every fish in a 20-acre lake unfit to eat, and power plants release 35 tons of this poison into our air every year.

Mercury is highly toxic to humans and wildlife.  It accumulates in our bodies and can damage the liver, kidneys and our central nervous system.   In addition to birth defects, mercury is particularly harmful to children.  Once in the bloodstream, it can damage a child’s developing nervous system, brain, heart, kidneys, lungs and immune system.

For Marshall County, the nearest coal power station is the R. M. Schahfer Generating Station, located in Wheatfield, less than 38 miles due West (upwind) of Culver and Lake Max.  According to the EPA’s eGRID database, each year this single power plant releases the following air pollution:

• Carbon Dioxide: 10,777,862 tons
• Sulfur Dioxide: 32,437 tons
• Nitrogen Oxides: 10,555 tons
• Hydrochloric Acid: 279,817 lbs.
• Sulfuric Acid: 897,853 lbs.
• Mercury Emissions: 505 lbs.

Although not specified in the eGRID database, it is also likely that the following pollutants are being discharged by the local coal power plant as well:

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• Small Particles: 500 tons
• Hydrocarbons: 220 tons
• Carbon Monoxide: 720 tons
• Arsenic: 225 lbs.
• Lead: 114 lbs.
• Cadmium: 4 pounds
• And many other toxic heavy metals.

A study by the Department of Energy also found that radioactive emissions from coal combustion are greater than those from nuclear power production.  In addition to all the pollution being spewed into the air, the average coal power plant generates massive amounts of solid wastes each year as well, including:

• Coal Ash: 125,000 tons
• Sludge: 193,000 tons

A single 750 kilowatt wind turbine, operated for one year at a site with Class 4 wind speeds, can be expected to displace a total of 2,697,175 pounds of CO2, 14,172 pounds of sulfur dioxide, and 8,688 pounds of NOx.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/st_profiles/indiana.html
Purdue Univ, Indiana Center for Coal Technology Research: http://www.in.gov/oed/files/CCTR_Flyer_-_06.pdf

http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind/brief_coal.html

http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/eij/article/watch_what_you_eat/

http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/utilities/clean-river-team/pollution-prevention/22-mercury.html

http://www.env-health.org/IMG/pdf/mercury_chapter1.pdf

http://solutions.edf.org/2011/06/21/moms-clean-air-force-takes-on-corporate-polluters/