• Originally published August 12, 2010 at 7:07 a.m., updated August 12, 2010 at 7:07 a.m.

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the recent letter from a group of local doctors about the White Stallion Energy Center. While well intentioned, these doctors were offering opinions based on incorrect and incomplete information. White Stallion offers facts to clarify their assumptions and allow your readers to decide whether these doctors’ opinions are properly founded.

First, the statement that the WSEC air emissions will be twelve times that of all existing entities is simply wrong. The US EPA’s data for 2005, found at www.epa.gov/air/emissions/index.htm., shows that Matagorda County’s total actual emissions of SO2, NOx, carbon monoxide, VOC, and particulate matter was a combined 45,826 tons per year. WSEC will be permitted to emit 17,848 tons per year of the same compounds in 2014 (and in reality will emit less). This is 39% of the current County emissions, not 1200%. The totals for lead, mercury, and other trace elements were not included because they are measured in pounds per year, not tons, and are statistically insignificant in this comparison.

Although some of these trace elements, like any substance, can be toxic at certain dosage levels, the doctors’ letter provided no indication that the authors had any idea of the actual trace exposure that would result from the White Stallion Energy Center. That may be because none are trained toxicologists. But two very highly trained air pollution toxicologists—Dr. Thomas Dydek, and TCEQ’s Dr. Jong-Song Lee-- have looked at the expected worst-case exposures to emissions from WSEC. Dr. Dydek testified under oath at the hearing on White Stallion’s air permit that “there will not be any adverse effects on the health of the general public, sensitive subgoups, or animal life as a result of exposure to the maximum possible levels of air contaminants to be emitted from the WSEC. Furthermore, the emissions from the WSEC will not cause adverse effects on human welfare or harm the environment.” And long-time TCEQ toxicologist Dr. Jong-Song Lee agreed: “My opinion is that operation of this facility will not be detrimental to public health or welfare, animal life, or vegetation, or cause any nuisance conditions that would affect the normal use and enjoyment of property.”

Please remember, in contrast, that there are both direct and indirect adverse health effects from economic loss. White Stallion will be contributing approximately $3 million to the local hospital district every year. It will be contributing an estimated $14 million to local payroll every year, which buys a lot of health care. Matagorda County will be made more healthy, not less, with the addition of White Stallion.

Secondly, with regard to waste-water effluent, the law permits only a very narrow difference between the river temperature and effluent temperature. WSEC will perform within that legal range. Most fishermen will tell you that, in the winter, the outfall from a power plant is the best place to fish.

Third, the ash from the plant will not be mixed with limestone. Limestone is mixed with the fuel during the combustion process in the boiler. The ash produced from this process is about 60%

calcium carbonate (cement). Therefore, when mixed with water, it sets up like concrete over a few hours time. Have you ever bought a bag of Sakrete and inadvertently left it outside in the rain? When you return, it is no longer a bag of cement mix; it is a block of concrete inside a bag. That is the same as the ash produced and stored in the landfill. It sets up like concrete. Have you ever seen anything leach out of the concrete sidewalks in Bay City? I think not. This ash is then stored in a landfill with belt and suspenders, meaning it will have a double liner (clay and synthetic) beneath the fill to prevent anything from entering the ground water as well as a levee surrounding it that will withstand a 250 year rain or flood event.

For more facts about White Stallion Energy Center, please refer to our website at www.whitestallionenergycenter.com.

Randy Bird

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