The Las Brisas Energy The Las Brisas Energy CenterCenter

Does the Benefit Does the Benefit

Outweigh the RiskOutweigh the Risk

A Disturbing Starting Point:A Disturbing Starting Point:

• An unusually high number of children present to An unusually high number of children present to Emergency Rooms in Corpus Christi with acute asthma Emergency Rooms in Corpus Christi with acute asthma symptoms. We don’t know why.symptoms. We don’t know why.

• A study published in July 2006 found that Corpus Christi A study published in July 2006 found that Corpus Christi has the highest rate of birth defects in Texas, with an has the highest rate of birth defects in Texas, with an 84% overall higher rate of birth defects than the rest of 84% overall higher rate of birth defects than the rest of the state of Texas. the state of Texas.

Texas Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch of the Texas Department of State Texas Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch of the Texas Department of State Health Services. Health Services.

• Seven schools in the Coastal Bend area rank in the top Seven schools in the Coastal Bend area rank in the top 10% in the US for exposures to toxins and carcinogens 10% in the US for exposures to toxins and carcinogens based on EPA studies. based on EPA studies. http://content.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/smokestack/search/TXhttp://content.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/smokestack/search/TX

• Ozone levels in our community are being monitored Ozone levels in our community are being monitored because we are episodically near “non-attainment” of because we are episodically near “non-attainment” of permitted limits. Non-attainment results in lost federal permitted limits. Non-attainment results in lost federal funds and more costly vehicle inspections.funds and more costly vehicle inspections.

Las Brisas Energy Center, LLC• Application was submitted to the Texas Commission

on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) on May 19, 2008

• State Air Quality Permit Number 85013 and Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Air Quality Permit Number PSDTX1138, would authorize construction of a Circulating Fluidized-Bed Petroleum Coke powered Steam Electric Generation Facility located on Joe Fulton Corridor, Corpus Christi.

• The facility will emit: nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide,

carbon monoxide, organic compounds, particulate matter including particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter, sulfuric acid, ammonia, mercury, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, lead and sodium hydroxide.

Las Brisas Will use Best Las Brisas Will use Best Available Technology to Available Technology to Reduce EmissionsReduce Emissions

The planned facility will use multiple The planned facility will use multiple means of scrubbing and filtering to means of scrubbing and filtering to reduce emissions.reduce emissions.

Projected emissions do not exceed what Projected emissions do not exceed what current regulations allow.current regulations allow.

Las Brisas Will use “Best Las Brisas Will use “Best Available” Technology to Available” Technology to Reduce Emissions Reduce Emissions

But not But not thethe best available best available technologytechnology““Best Available” is an energy industry Best Available” is an energy industry

term, not a descriptive term.term, not a descriptive term.Strangely, it does not actually refer to Strangely, it does not actually refer to

thethe best available technology to reduce best available technology to reduce emissions.emissions.

After they “minimize” pollution coming from Las Brisas – What do we get?

• The Largest source of pollution in Nueces County

• The Las Brisas power plant would double industrial criteria emissions in Nueces County over 2006 levels from 26,349 tons to 53,968 tons.

Recently Permitted PlantsRecently Permitted Plants

PlantPlantCity, City, CountyCounty

Permit Permit ## StatusStatus Mega-wattsMega-watts

COCO22** ** Tons/yr Tons/yr

SOSO22 NONOX X (forms Ozone)(forms Ozone) Particulate MatterParticulate Matter MercuryMercury

Tons/yrTons/yr lb/MMBtulb/MMBtu Tons/yrTons/yr lb/MMBtulb/MMBtu Tons/yrTons/yr lb/MMBtulb/MMBtu lb/yrlb/yr

TXUTXU’’s Oak Grove 1 & 2 s Oak Grove 1 & 2 (2 units)(2 units)

7647476474Permit granted Permit granted –– on Appeal on Appeal 1,7201,720 16.6 mil16.6 mil 15,07915,079 0.1920.192 7,5007,500 0.080.08 3,1703,170 0.040.04 2,1802,180Bremond, Robertson Bremond, Robertson

CPS SpruceCPS Spruce

7049270492

Permit Permit granted - under granted - under

constructionconstruction 750750 7.4 mil7.4 mil 2,1022,102 0.060.06 1,7521,752 0.050.05 771771 0.0220.022 140140San Antonio, BexarSan Antonio, Bexar

Sandy Creek EnergySandy Creek Energy

7086170861Permit granted Permit granted –– on Appeal on Appeal 800800 7.5 mil7.5 mil 3,5853,585 0.10.1 3,2263,226 0.050.05 1,4901,490 0.040.04 150150Riesel, McLennanRiesel, McLennan

Formosa Plastics (2 Units)Formosa Plastics (2 Units)

7604476044 Permit grantedPermit granted 300300 3.0 mil3.0 mil1,091 to 1,091 to

6,5186,5180.083 to 0.083 to

0.4960.496 920920 0.070.07 446446 0.0340.034 7878Point Comfort, Point Comfort, CalhounCalhoun

TXUTXU’’s Sandow 5 at Alcoas Sandow 5 at Alcoa

4843748437 Permit grantedPermit granted 581581 5.4 mil5.4 mil 5,1865,186 0.20.2 2,5932,593 0.10.1 1,0371,037 0.040.04 192192Rockdale, MilamRockdale, Milam

Calhoun Co. Nav. Dist.Calhoun Co. Nav. Dist.

4558645586

Permit granted Permit granted and emissions and emissions

settlement settlement reachedreached 303303

2.6 mil 2.6 mil (offset)(offset) 2,0712,071 0.1790.179 813813 0.070.07 597597 0.0510.051 1414

Point Comfort, Point Comfort, CalhounCalhoun

Totals for Recently Permitted PlantsTotals for Recently Permitted Plants 4,4544,454 42.5 mil42.5 mil 34,54134,541    16,80416,804    7,5117,511    2,7542,754

Plants Still Being PursuedPlants Still Being Pursued

White StallionWhite Stallion

N/AN/AApplication Application

FiledFiled 1,2001,200

~10 ~10 mil mil

(est.)(est.) 4,9554,955 N/AN/A 4,0474,047 0.070.07 1,7921,792 N/AN/A 100100Bay City, MatagordaBay City, Matagorda

NRGNRG’’s Limestone 3s Limestone 3

7918879188Pending 112g Pending 112g

HearingHearing 7457457.4 7.4 milmil 2,1022,102 0.060.06 1,7521,752 0.070.07 1,2261,226 0.040.04 140140Jewett, LimestoneJewett, Limestone

TenaskaTenaska

  8416784167Technical Technical ReviewReview 900900

0.75 0.75 milmil 2,1832,183 0.060.06 1,8191,819 0.050.05 1,0921,092 0.0380.038 400400Sweetwater, Nolan Sweetwater, Nolan

Las BrisasLas Brisas

8501385013Technical Technical ReviewReview 1,2001,200

  10.4 10.4 mil mil

(est.)(est.)  10,480 10,480 (8096)(8096) 0.1942 0.1942  3,776 3,776    0.070.07

2,8082,808(1664) (1664) 

N/A N/A   

320 320   Corpus Christi, NuecesCorpus Christi, Nueces

Coleto CreekColeto Creek

8377883778Technical Technical ReviewReview 650650 6.0 mil6.0 mil 1,7531,753 N/AN/A 1,4611,461 0.060.06 935935 N/AN/A 140140Goliad, GoliadGoliad, Goliad

Totals for Other Plants Being PursuedTotals for Other Plants Being Pursued 4,6954,69534.55 34.55 milmil 21,47321,473    12,85512,855    7,8537,853    1,1001,100

How Much is Too Much?How Much is Too Much?• Las Brisas will rank #1 in Nueces county in

particulate matter (PM) ten microns or smaller (1,664 tpy), nitrogen oxides (NOx -3,024 tpy), sulfur dioxide (SO2 – 8,096) tpy) and carbon monoxide (CO - 5,977 tpy).

• NOx emissions would be two times larger than the #2 largest existing source in Nueces County based on 2006 data (2006 TCEQ data)

• The SO2 emissions (8,096 tons) would be nearly 7X larger than the #2 largest existing source (1,274 tons) in Nueces County based on 2006 data (2006 TCEQ data).

• PM10 emissions (1,664 tons) would be over 2x larger than the #2 largest existing source (782 tons) in Nueces County based on 2006 data (2006 TCEQ data).

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

Las Brisas West North

1. Las Brisas: 27,600 tons per year2. Valero’s West Refinery: 4,500 tpy3. Valero’s East Refinery: 4,000 tpy

LAS BRISASLAS BRISAS Could Be #1 SOURCE OF AIR POLLUTION IN NUECES COUNTY

Las Brisas EmissionsLas Brisas Emissions

The Las Brisas power plant will increase Nueces County industrial nitrogen oxides by 36% over 2006 The Las Brisas power plant will increase Nueces County industrial nitrogen oxides by 36% over 2006 levels of 10,395 tons. levels of 10,395 tons.

Nueces County2006 NOxEmissions

Additional LasBrisas NOx

CORPUS CHRISTI CORPUS CHRISTI BORDERLINE SMOG NON-ATTAINMENT BORDERLINE SMOG NON-ATTAINMENT AREAAREA

LAS BRISAS Could Be #1 industrial source of LAS BRISAS Could Be #1 industrial source of Nitrogen Oxides in Nueces County.Nitrogen Oxides in Nueces County.

Ozone, also known as smog, is formed when nitrogen Ozone, also known as smog, is formed when nitrogen oxides react with volatile organic compounds from oxides react with volatile organic compounds from industrial plants, mobile sources and others in the industrial plants, mobile sources and others in the presence of sunlight. presence of sunlight.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lowered eight-hour smog-ozone standard from 80 to lowered eight-hour smog-ozone standard from 80 to 75 parts per billion on March 13, 2008. The AAP and 75 parts per billion on March 13, 2008. The AAP and the EPA’s Clean Air Scientific advisory Committee the EPA’s Clean Air Scientific advisory Committee had both suggested the standard be 60 ppb.had both suggested the standard be 60 ppb.

The Las Brisas power plant may shift Corpus Christi The Las Brisas power plant may shift Corpus Christi from its borderline non-attainment status into full from its borderline non-attainment status into full blown non-attainment.blown non-attainment.

Nitric Oxides and Ozone: Nitric Oxides and Ozone: Health EffectsHealth Effects NOx exposure causes eye, nose and throat NOx exposure causes eye, nose and throat

irritation at low levels of exposure. At high irritation at low levels of exposure. At high exposure levels it causes serious damage to exposure levels it causes serious damage to the tissues of the upper respiratory tract, the tissues of the upper respiratory tract, fluid build-up in the lungs and death fluid build-up in the lungs and death

Ozone is a potent respiratory irritant. At low Ozone is a potent respiratory irritant. At low levels of exposure, it can cause coughing, levels of exposure, it can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain. wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain. At higher concentrations, it can lead to lung At higher concentrations, it can lead to lung tissue damage, reduced lung capacity, tissue damage, reduced lung capacity, asthma exacerbation, as well as increased asthma exacerbation, as well as increased risk of hospitalization for asthma, bronchitis risk of hospitalization for asthma, bronchitis and other chronic respiratory symptoms. It is and other chronic respiratory symptoms. It is associated with premature death.associated with premature death.

Sulfur DioxideSulfur Dioxide

• The SO2 emissions from Las Brisas (8,096 tons) would be nearly 7 times greater than the #2 largest existing source.

• SO2 is the chemical pollutant associated with acid rain. It is one of the chemicals involved in the generation of particulate matter air pollution.

• It is also a potent respiratory irritant known to cause asthma exacerbations. Elevated levels of SO2 trigger cough and shortness of breath in patients with asthma or COPD.

Particulate Matter Particulate Matter (PM,PM10,PM2.5):(PM,PM10,PM2.5):Profound Health EffectsProfound Health Effects

• Las Brisas will rank #1 in Nueces county in particulate matter (PM10) ten microns or smaller (1,664 tpy),

• While particulate matter is released directly from While particulate matter is released directly from smokestacks to some extent, a much greater smokestacks to some extent, a much greater amount of particle pollution is formed from amount of particle pollution is formed from atmospheric reactions of SO2 and NOx. atmospheric reactions of SO2 and NOx.

• Particulate matter is, perhaps, the most harmful Particulate matter is, perhaps, the most harmful pollutant produced by coal-fired power plants. pollutant produced by coal-fired power plants. Elevations in PM10 have been associated with Elevations in PM10 have been associated with increased death from heart and lung disease, increased death from heart and lung disease, increased infant mortality, reduction in lung increased infant mortality, reduction in lung function growth in children, asthma attacks, function growth in children, asthma attacks, hospitalizations, and days lost from school and hospitalizations, and days lost from school and work.work.

Particulate Matter PM10: Particulate Matter PM10: Documented Health EffectsDocumented Health Effects

Health EffectHealth Effect Frequency/Frequency/yearyear

Premature deathPremature death 26,60026,600

Heart AttackHeart Attack 38,20038,200

Asthma attackAsthma attack 554,000554,000

Hospital Hospital admissionsadmissions

21,85021,850

ER visitsER visits 26,00026,000

Days lost from Days lost from workwork

3,186,0003,186,000Brook, RD, et al. Air Pollution and Cardiovascular Disease: A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the Expert Panel on Population and Prevention Science of the American Heart Association. Circulation, 2004;109:2655-2671; Hong, Y.-C., Lee J.-T., Kim, H., Ha, E.-H., Schwartz, J., Christiani, D.C. Effects of Air Pollutants on Acute Stroke Mortality. Environ. Health Perspect 2002; Vol. 110, pp. 187-191; Zanobetti A, Schwartz J. The Effect of Particulate Air Pollution on Emergency Admissions for Myocardial Infarction: A Multicity Case-Crossover Analysis. Environ Health Perspec 2005; 113:978-982.Abt Associates. The Particulate-Related Health Benefits of Reducing Power Plant Emissions, 2000. http://www.catf.us/publications/reprots/Abt_PM_report.php

Pollution:Pollution:

• We think of pollution as an obnoxious haze that We think of pollution as an obnoxious haze that hangs over the city, a bad smell, an irritant, an hangs over the city, a bad smell, an irritant, an annoyance.annoyance.

• What it actually is, is a poisonous substance that What it actually is, is a poisonous substance that causes significant disease and even death.causes significant disease and even death.

• The Las Brisas plant may make some people The Las Brisas plant may make some people cough. It will make a smaller number become cough. It will make a smaller number become short of breath enough to go to the emergency short of breath enough to go to the emergency room. A very small number – mostly older people room. A very small number – mostly older people with chronic illness – will die during periods of with chronic illness – will die during periods of increased exposure. On the average, it will increased exposure. On the average, it will literally shorten our lives. literally shorten our lives.