WI DNR raises multiple concerns over proposed Superior power plant
Keep your eyes on these dramatic and surprising developments: an environmental review by the WI DNR has raised several substantial, interconnected concerns about a major gas-fired generating plant proposed in Superior.
And the DNR also cited damage to the environment and threats to public health related to fracking used to extract the proposed plant's fuel - - natural gas - - and further noted the negative impacts of widespread frac sand mining in Wisconsin.
This isn't a rejection of the plant: the final permitting decision is in the hands of the Wisconsin PSC and a 2-1 Walkerite majority - - and once again we understand that the GOP's lame-duck power grabs kept the defeated Walker's PSC majority intact - - but it's great to see a revitalized DNR raising and connecting important clean air, groundwater and public health issues which Team Walker intentionally ignored and deleted.
And props to Gov. Evers' and DNR Secretary Cole for following through on their pledges to return science to the agency mission.
DNR: Proposed natural gas power plant could harm groundwater
The $700 million natural gas power plant proposed for Superior could negatively impact nearby groundwater, according to Wisconsin regulators....
Ian Anderson, a DNR hydrologist testified that the state agency could not determine the project “would not have a significant detrimental effect on the quantity” of the groundwater.Additionally, the agency's official review raises concerns about the plant's likely release of harmful greenhouse gases.
And the DNR also cited damage to the environment and threats to public health related to fracking used to extract the proposed plant's fuel - - natural gas - - and further noted the negative impacts of widespread frac sand mining in Wisconsin.
This isn't a rejection of the plant: the final permitting decision is in the hands of the Wisconsin PSC and a 2-1 Walkerite majority - - and once again we understand that the GOP's lame-duck power grabs kept the defeated Walker's PSC majority intact - - but it's great to see a revitalized DNR raising and connecting important clean air, groundwater and public health issues which Team Walker intentionally ignored and deleted.
And props to Gov. Evers' and DNR Secretary Cole for following through on their pledges to return science to the agency mission.
2 comments:
Perhaps now Wisconsin's DNR will take a more scientific, in depth consideration of the Environmental Impact Statement submitted to them by the Compact Implementation Coalition regarding Waukesha's plans to divert Lake Michigan's water beyond the sub-continental divide to their county. With the recent rains the Root River (Waukesha's preferred conduit for returning that water) has exceeded it's bounds many times and it's capacity is already overflowing. At the same time Waukeha's aquifiers are full. I personally do not feel confident or trust Waukesha's water management personnel in taking an objective, scientific approach in solving Waukesha's water problems as I have not seen any real progress in this for over ten years now.
Agreed Anonymous 6:44 am.
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