A public hearing Monday night to address concerns over pollution from the Blount Street power plant on Madison's east side ignited a debate over the plant's environmental impact.
The Sierra Club, the state Department of Natural Resources and Madison Gas and Electric all presented their views on the plant's operation and its effect on the environment.
'Tonight is a part of basic values,' said Sierra Club representative Bruce Nilis. 'If we think about the air pollution problem in Dane County, there can be no dispute that [the Blount Street plant] presents a risk to human health and the environment.'
Nilis said the plant emits very high levels of coal soot and sulfur dioxide and criticized MG&E for its failure to update the plant with modern technologies.
But DNR representative Tom Roushar downplayed anxieties, noting that in a report from February of this year, the Blount Street plant was shown to have complied with every requirement on its air pollution control permit.
Citing the recent findings of the Dane County Clean Air Coalition, Roushar also reported mobile sources like trucks and cars are the real sources of concern.
'It helps to keep the emissions from this source in perspective,' he said.
MG&E Vice President Kristine Euclide reiterated the findings from the DNR reports, noting that the Blount Street plant meets all federal environmental standards. Euclide admitted that the plant does release large amounts of pollutants, but pointed out that it does not operate all the time.
Euclide said the plant's rate of operation actually makes it one of the lowest polluters in the state.
According to Euclide, MG&E is currently finishing up its proposal for the future of energy needs in Madison. She said the proposal includes concerns over the Blount Street plant.
'We acknowledge people's concerns about Blount,' she said. 'We live here too.'
Euclide said that the comprehensive plan of Madison's future energy concerns will be available at the end of March.
Members of the public took similar positions in acknowledging the plant's compliance with regulations, but stressed that going beyond minimum standards is important to Madison's progressive future.
'I feel that a new clean burning plant similar to that of the west side should be built,' said lifelong Madison resident and MG&E stockholder Gary Warner. 'There is a huge opportunity to revamp Madison's east side.'
