FAIRBANKS — Already under watch by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Fairbanks is coming under scrutiny by the environmental agency again after a resident complained of black dust near a power plant downtown.
The EPA received a petition by the resident last May, investigated in September and found enough questions to warrant an investigation, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported. Other residents have complained about the issue to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.
“The nature of the work ahead is looking at potential problems and trying to understand if they’re real problems,” said Dan Opalski, the director of environmental cleanup in the EPA’s Seattle office.
The city of Fairbanks is under watch by the EPA for high levels of particulate matter.
Opalski said the agency hasn’t reached any conclusions about the origin of the dust or any possible health risk it might pose.
The dust is close to the Aurora Energy plant, but other power plants in the area will also be watched.
“I think it’s fair to say in that environment there could be a number of things going on,” he said.
Aurora Energy President Buki Wright said the company plans to cooperate fully with the EPA during the process.
“We’re in compliance with everything we need to be in compliance with,” Wright said. “We believe we’re operating conscientiously and are conscientious neighbors.”
Opalski said the next step in the process will be gathering more data through the collection and analysis of samples and a more thorough evaluation of the site.
That process is expected to take place this summer, but Opalski said a specific plan for its study hasn’t been developed. He also said residents in the area shouldn’t be alarmed at the prospect of an EPA investigation, since it’s too early to know if there’s a valid cause for concern.
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Information from: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, http://www.newsminer.com
Comments (4)
Add commentThere is a new study out that
There is a new study that is linking cold winters to air pollution, that there are higher concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) in the atmosphere.
This is bad news for the coal use up North.
Many Alaskans do not even realize that Alaska has 5 Coal Power Plants and that Healy Power Plant is pushing for a new air permit right now with our state.
These coal power plants dump tons and tons and tons of air pollution in our state and Nitrogen Oxides are the source of Acid Rain and our alarming Ocean acidification problem
Coal power is not good and this is why coal power plants are being shut down across the rest of the US.
I understand that a cheaper
I understand that a cheaper source of energy is needed for up North but coal is NOT the answer it is a bad choice.
I support using Alsakas public funds to develop Geo Thermal for Fairbanks and for other areas in Alaska - we have the funds lets just do it.
Alaskans need cheaper energy but lets do it right and go clean. We should do this as an investment for our kids.
There is Geo Thermal and the
There is Geo Thermal and the state has the money. This is the sort of thing that can really hurt businesses and even schools. Who wants to live near a coal plant or go to a University that burns coal?
First residents of Seward,
First residents of Seward, then North Pole, and now residents of Fairbanks have had to resort to citizens petitions with the EPA to learn what the truth is regarding local pollution. State laws are too weak and there is no will within DEC to answer citizens tough questions. DEC consistently defends polluters to the citizens detriment. After years of trying to eliminate the fallout through the traditional city, borough and state agencies the EPA's Superfund Office is now conducting an investigation in downtown Fairbanks to quantify the health risks associated with living in the vicinity of Aurora's downtown coal fired power plant. Individual residents burning wood for heat are being unfairly targeted for the city's unhealthy air quality while the coal plants' black soot and ash piles up on neighbors property and homes. Having seen the blackened snow and knowing half of the city is built on toxic coal ash and that the groundwater is already known to be contaminated I'd say the EPA has a tough job ahead.
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