Mirant says it will close its Potomac River power plant today if it cannot stem pollution violations.

Date published: 8/24/2005

By RUSTY DENNEN

A coal-burning power plant on the Potomac River that has been polluting Virginia's air for years could shut down tonight if state-ordered remedies cannot be implemented.

Mirant Corp.'s Potomac River plant in Alexandria, which has been a target of state enforcement and environmentalists for years, was told Monday by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to take "immediate steps" to protect air quality and the environment.

Mirant said it has reduced operations and will close it by midnight if violations of air-quality standards cannot be addressed.

Carbon-dioxide emissions at the plant totaled about 1.5 million tons in 2003, an 81 percent increase since 1995. Carbon dioxide is considered a major contributor to global warming.

The plant also had a 21 percent increase in soot-forming sulfur dioxide emissions during the eight-year period, to 15,166 tons in 2003.

A recent Mirant study of its emissions showed significant violations of air-quality standards near the plant. The study was prompted by a consent order by the company with DEQ in September of last year relating to alleged air-quality violations. DEQ received the report Friday.

Mirant was ordered to address the pollution problem and to inform the agency of the steps it was taking by 2 p.m. today.

"DEQ takes this situation very seriously," Director Robert G. Burnley said in a news release. "We expect immediate action to protect people's health and to improve the quality of the air."

In a statement posted on its Web site, Mirant said it has reduced output at its five Potomac River generators to the lowest possible level, adding that if no interim solution can be found, it will shut them down. However, because of advance-notice requirements to the regional electric grid operator, a full shutdown would take several days.

"Even taking the new study findings into consideration, the Potomac River generating station remains in compliance with all its operating permits," the company said. The Potomac River plant went into operation in 1949 and now produces about 482 megawatts of electricity.

Mirant purchased the plant several years ago. The company also owns the Morgantown plant at the foot of the Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge in Charles County, Md.

Mirant's Alexandria facility is one of Virginia's older power plants and among the dirtiest when it comes to airborne pollution, including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.

According to the American Lung Association, power-plant pollution causes about 1,000 deaths annually in Virginia. It also leads to more than 140,000 lost work days and 23,700 asthma attacks, the association said.

To reach RUSTY DENNEN:540/374-5431rdennen@freelancestar.com

Date published: 8/24/2005