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Wednesday, May 14,2008
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Power Plant’s Water-Intake Pipe Moves Ahead
DNR OKs We Energies’ plans
Riverkeeper
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called it “a giant fish-killing machine,” but the
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) just gave a preliminary OK to
We Energies’ plan to build a 1.5-mile-long water-intake pipe into Lake
Michigan.
The
DNR approved a revised draft permit for the water-intake system at the site of
the expanded coal-fired power plant in Oak Creek. A public hearing will be held
on the matter on June 9 at the Oak Creek Community Center before the permit can
be approved formally.
A
state administrative law judge required We Energies to revise and reapply for
its permit to ensure that the proposed pipe is the best available technology
for the plant and will meet tougher environmental standards for new power
plants. The construction of the $100 million cooling system is already
underway, even though its legality was in limbo. The pipe is part of the $2.3
billion expansion of the coal-fired power plant, the largest construction
project in the history of the state.
Environmentalists
have opposed the cooling system’s 1.5-mile pipe, which would suck in 2.2
billion gallons of water each day from Lake Michigan and return it 10 to 15
degrees warmer.
Environmental
watchdog group Clean Wisconsin, for example, has criticized the water-intake
system because it has “much potential for environmental damage.”
But
Todd Ambs, administrator for the water division of the DNR, said that the
temperature of the returned water, as well as the number of fish that would be
sucked into the pipe, “would not have a significant impact” on Lake Michigan’s
ecosystem.
Ambs
said that, historically, this kind of intake pipe is placed close to the
shoreline, where about 98% of fish live. In contrast, the Oak Creek plant’s
pipe would be extended far into Lake Michigan, where relatively few fish live.
“There
is no real fish habitat there right now,” Ambs said.
Ambs
noted that this system was preferable to constructing cooling towers at the new
plant, which he said would require more energy to operate; produce more sulfur
dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and mercury; and lose more water through evaporation.
Ambs
said the agency felt no pressure to approve the permit for economic reasons.
“We
are very sensitive to the risk to aquatic life,” he said.
genesis49
SaraM's comment is an excellent one. She simultaneously illustrates why there should be an intelligence test before people are allowed to make public postings and how narrow-mindedness when dealing in public realities can be destructive.
Why do relatively few fish live farther in? Because fish tend to be in areas where there is structure and cover. Because most fish don't live in very deep water, they tend toward the shore where the depth is more to their liking.
Did we kill them already? NO, (see above) but your uninformed fear-mongering is certainly very helpful.
Also, isn't it a little naive to believe that the warm water will remain right by the pipe where there "would not be significant impact?" NO, it isn't naive. The water will mix with the rest of the lake. However, as illustrated this year in the lake water tempurature, this is not a constant. The lake differs in temp each year based upon the climate. (Because global warming isn't actually occuring, the lake is cooler this year than is has been in several years)
As for your bathtub analogy, the water being heated into the lake would be similar in quantity to you putting a single molecule of hot water into your bathtub.
The experts has studied these facts. But because you aren't aware and haven't done your homework before making these inflammatory comments you have been forced to use the logic of a 6 year old.
Finally, (again, see above to answer your last point) ask yourself a question. Why do you feel the need to make these unsupported and unsubstanciated accusations? Let me help you with the answer. It makes you feel superior and virtuous to lash out at something you think is bad, even though you don't really have the knowledge to make that determination. I hope you feel good.
However, when next you decide to support those legislators who profess a desire to help the environment, consider this example.
Jim Doyle just changed the regulations about which cars need to have their emmissions tested. Older cars are now exempt. Why would he do this? Those are the cars most likely to pollute. Answer: It's not about pollution, it's about money. It's cheaper to test new cars. They can be plugged in. Older cars must roll on the treadmill.
In the future, know what you're talking about before making a fool of yourself by discussing a topic you know nothing about.
SaraM
Why do relatively few fish live farther in? Did we kill them already? Also, isn't it a little naive to believe that the warm water will remain right by the pipe where there "would not be significant impact?" I'm guessing at that massive quantity, it will have much farther reaching affects on the entire lake. If I my bath is too cold, i add hot water. The hot water does not stay right near the tap. It will eventually heat all the water in the tub. I think even my 6 year old would be able to figure that out. Why can't the experts? I'm guessing they can figure it out, but there are in fact huge economic reasons to not want to see the truth.
genesis49
SaraM's comment is an excellent one. She simultaneously illustrates why there should be an intelligence test before people are allowed to make public postings and how narrow-mindedness when dealing in public realities can be destructive.
Why do relatively few fish live farther in? Because fish tend to be in areas where there is structure and cover. Because most fish don't live in very deep water, they tend toward the shore where the depth is more to their liking.
Did we kill them already? NO, (see above) but your uninformed fear-mongering is certainly very helpful.
Also, isn't it a little naive to believe that the warm water will remain right by the pipe where there "would not be significant impact?" NO, it isn't naive. The water will mix with the rest of the lake. However, as illustrated this year in the lake water tempurature, this is not a constant. The lake differs in temp each year based upon the climate. (Because global warming isn't actually occuring, the lake is cooler this year than is has been in several years)
As for your bathtub analogy, the water being heated into the lake would be similar in quantity to you putting a single molecule of hot water into your bathtub.
The experts has studied these facts. But because you aren't aware and haven't done your homework before making these inflammatory comments you have been forced to use the logic of a 6 year old.
Finally, (again, see above to answer your last point) ask yourself a question. Why do you feel the need to make these unsupported and unsubstanciated accusations? Let me help you with the answer. It makes you feel superior and virtuous to lash out at something you think is bad, even though you don't really have the knowledge to make that determination. I hope you feel good.
However, when next you decide to support those legislators who profess a desire to help the environment, consider this example.
Jim Doyle just changed the regulations about which cars need to have their emmissions tested. Older cars are now exempt. Why would he do this? Those are the cars most likely to pollute. Answer: It's not about pollution, it's about money. It's cheaper to test new cars. They can be plugged in. Older cars must roll on the treadmill.
In the future, know what you're talking about before making a fool of yourself by discussing a topic you know nothing about.
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