This really should have some clarification, people should know that for the
next 4 years (at least) the emissions from one of the dirtiest power plants
in the nation will continue to fall on the inhabitants of Minneapolis and
beyond. Riverside (aka the "mother plant") is the oldest in Xcel's fleet
and thankfully will be converted in 2009--maybe, but the language in the
Mayor's update hints that it's all done already. A quick check of the
MPCA's website will show the emissions for the past few years and they are
remaining stable, and if anything increasing.
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/data/edaAir/pointResults.cfm?siteID=05300015&year=2001
Riverside is ranked fourth worst in the state of Minnesota for Sulfur
Dioxide (2003), contributing 10.56% of all of our State's emissions from
this one plant. It is third worst in the state for Nitrogen Oxides (Nox) or
ozone precursors, which makes up about 9% of the states emissions. Then you
have the mercury which continues to hover right around 100lbs (you'll have
to check the Toxic Release inventory for those numbers--while you still
can), or equivalent to breaking and releasing 45,000 mercury thermometers
every year on the north side (falcons included).
*******************************************************
Mayor's text below
---"SIERRA CLUB RECOGNIZES A GREENER MINNEAPOLIS
"This week I proudly joined the Sierra Clubs National Cool Cities Campaign
to celebrate Minneapolis' leadership in curbing global warming and providing
a more energy-efficient future. As one of the first mayors in the country
to sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, I am proud of the
work we have accomplished in Minneapolis to protect our environment. For
example, we have reduced air pollution by converting the riverside coal
plant to cleaner natural gas, expanded the use of solar panels, increased
the number of alternative-fuel vehicles, improved energy conservation,
installed a green roof on the new Central Library, and planted thousands of
new trees. For more information on this campaign, visit the Sierra Club web
site at www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/coolcities."
************************************************************
As for solar panel use being expanded and if this is a truthful statement
I'd like to know the City initiative/building that the mayor's update is
referring to. The Green Institute did a large installation, but the last
time I checked those people aren't on the City's payroll or part of a City
program. The Central Library's Raingarden sounds nice, but that also isn't
built yet and considering the new fees imposed for stormwater it makes good
sense. Many trees were planted, but many more were lost due to dutch elm
and an apparent lack of resources to deal with the outbreak. The loss of a
magnificent 60 year old shade tree is a hard thing to replace.
The City is having trouble creating safe enough atmosphere so that a person
can wait for a cab downtown without risking death, do you really think that
the environment is getting a whole lot of attention these days? I'd like to
think that something is going to change. I guess we'll wait and see.
Justin Eibenholzl
waiting for change in Armatage
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