Seneca Co-Generation Power Plant - Biomass

Oregon Toxics Alliance Appeals Biomass Plant Air Permit

On 11/6/09, OTA filed an appeal under the rules governing the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency to ask the LRAPA Board to reconsider the air permit to the Seneca Biomass Plant. The Board will decide if they will consider our appeal, or not. The appeal is a public document. You may contact OTA if you would like to help us pursue our goal of ensuring the strongest air pollution controls and protecting public health under LRAPA’s permitting process for new industries in Lane County. You may also contact LRAPA to express your concerns.

November 6th Press Release

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UPDATES...

NEWS FLASH: Site work begins for Seneca biomass power plant (building permit granted) -- Register-Guard article

Seneca Biomass letter to the editor
(written by Rodolfo Oliveira, a chemical engineer)

8/28/09 UPDATE
Now available: OTA's testimony to LRAPA
also...
Read Tom Kerns' report, "A Human Rights Assessment of the Proposed Seneca Biomass Power Generation Plant in Eugene, Oregon"

Background on Biomass:

Biomass Briefing, October 2009
Massachusetts Environmental Energy Alliance
www.massenvironmentalenergy.org
prepared by Mary S. Booth

OTA had a strong showing of supporters for the July 30th LRAPA hearing!
(photos and some text of testimony available here)

Seneca is proposing to build a wood-fired power plant at their West Eugene headquarters.  It’s being promoted as a green and renewable energy, because they intend to use mill waste (wood debris) as fuel.

Is it Green?

• The plant will emit approximately 500 tons of pollutants into West Eugene’s air ever year. Many of the pollutants are known to cause cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illness. | MORE: a more detailed list of predicted air pollutants and their health impacts. The plant would be Eugene’s largest source of styrene (a carcinogen), acetaldehyde (a carcinogen), hydrogen chloride (causes respiratory illnesses), & napthalene (a carcinogen). The power plant would be Eugene’s 3^rd largest source of formaldehyde (a carcinogen). The power plant will be the 4th largest emitter of toluene (a carcinogen). The plant will emit more pollutants in our air than a natural gas plant with the same capacity. The plant requires 32 tons of wood/hour.
• There’s a lot of pressure on EWEB and the community to support this as a “green” energy solution.

Oregon Toxics Alliance is in full support of green and renewable energy, however we have concerns whether this project, as currently proposed, meets those claims.

Air Pollution (Nitrogen Oxides)

• The plant will emit 186 tons of NOx per year. According to the EPA, NOx causes respiratory problems and aggravates heart disease.  It can damage lung tissue, and cause premature death.  NOx is a main component of ground-level ozone and contributes to global warming. The power plant would be the 4^th largest emitter of NOx in Lane County and the 2nd largest in Eugene. Seneca currently proposes to reduce NOx emissions by 45% with Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR). They could reduce NOx emissions by 70% with Regenerative Selective Catalytic Reduction (RSCR). Four similar power plants already use such technology.
• The California Air Board recommended RSCR for a similar power plant in Weed, CA.

Air Pollution (Carbon Monoxide)

• The plant will emit 200 tons of CO per year. According to the EPA, CO can trigger serious respiratory problems and even at low levels is a serious threat to people with heart problems.  The power plant would be the 7^th largest emitter of CO in Lane County and the ^2nd largest in Eugene.
• Seneca could reduce CO emission by 50% with RSCR.

Air Pollution Fines and Limits

• Emissions should be monitored regularly and accurately, so we KNOW what’s being put into our air. Seneca’s air pollutant permit should include strict language for pollutant reporting.
• Fines should be explicitly stated in LRAPA’s air discharge permit and strictly imposed .

West Eugene and Air Pollution

• Almost all of Eugene's industrial air pollutant sources are located in West Eugene. Residents of West Eugene are also exposed to air pollution from rail yard operations and heavy traffic.  The Seneca plant will add to that burden.
• LRAPA, EWEB, Seneca and other industries with a high amount of air pollutants could fund an ambient air monitor to accurately measure the general level of pollutants in West Eugene’s air.

Forests for Fuel

• The plant requires 32 tons of wood/hour.
• Despite assurances that Seneca doesn’t think forests will be cut to supply fuel, EWEB should request a guarantee that no forests will be cut to fuel the plant.

What You Can Do

What You Can Do

	Contact LRAPA
	Contact EWEB
	Attend EWEB Board Mtg
	Volunteer
	Donate

The biggest step you can take is to contact the EWEB and LRAPA boards and voice your concerns. They need to hear that you’re concerned about the amount of air pollutants the power plant will emit – especially considering it’s in an area with a heavy amount of industry and manufacturing (West Eugene). Urge them to:

1. Require Seneca to use Regenerative Selective Catalytic Reduction to reduce NOx and CO emissions.Use continuous monitoring for as many pollutants as possible.  Where not possible, use regular and accurate sample monitoring. LRAPA should include strict language for pollution reporting and explicit language for fines when Seneca exceeds limits. EWEB should get a guarantee in writing that forests will not be cleared to fuel the power plant.
2. Work with Seneca and other West Eugene industries to fund an ambient air monitor in West Eugene.

Important Dates

IN THE NEWSEugene Weekly: AIR OUTCRY CONTINUES
The debate over Seneca’s proposed biomass cogeneration plant continues as the Aug. 14 end date to the comment period draws closer.Eugene Register-Guard: Views aired on power plant - Air quality officials hear public comment on a biomass plant proposed at a sawmill site - by Susan Palmer, The Register-Guard / Appeared in print: Friday, Jul 31, 2009Eugene Register-Guard GUEST VIEWPOINT: Seneca’s power plant far from green - by John Herberg, OTA Staffperson - 4/20/09 (PDF file)