Cape Cod Canal Electric Station
Photo Source: Richard Judge
The Cape Cod Canal Electric Station in Sandwich used to generate almost all of the electricity consumed on Cape
Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket. On cold days, the plant produced a prominent plume -but it is the emissions you can't see
that degraded local air and water quality and contribute to public health
and climate change risks.
Lately, the plant has been used mostly to ensure reliable electricity on the Cape despite being more costly than other power sources.
Independent System Operator New England posted an executive summary of a report on its Web site Tuesday that
outlines how ongoing improvements to southeastern Massachusetts’ transmission system could make operation of
the plant on the Cape Cod Canal unnecessary. The report was unveiled by ISO at a forum sponsored by the
Cape and Islands Renewable Energy Collaborative at the Oak Ridge School in Sandwich Wednesday night.
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Facts on Dirty Energy & Pollution. See Contributor's
Guide below.
- The Canal plant generated electricity mostly by burning No. 6 fuel
oil, which is supplied by barges traveling through the region and into
Buzzards Bay.
- The plant can generate up to 1120 megawatts (MW) of electricity,
while average electricity demand by consumers in the Cape & Islands
region is about 230 MW. In the past, because there are no other large power plants
within the region and a limited number of smaller, distributed generation
systems, nearly all of the electricity consumed on Cape Cod, Martha's
Vineyard, and Nantucket is supplied by the Canal plant.
- For each hour of every day, average demand by Cape & Islands electricity
consumers accounted for the release of more than 3000 lbs of pollutants
by the Canal plant. These emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur
dioxide (S02), and other chemicals degrade local air and water quality,
and they contribute to public health risks.
- Harmful emissions from power plants in Massachusetts have been linked
statistically to increases in respiratory illnesses, asthma attacks,
emergency room visits, and premature deaths.
- For each hour of every day, average demand by Cape & Islands electricity
consumers accounts for more than 200 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
by the Canal plant. Local communities are particularly vulnerable to
the effects of climate change caused by rising atmospheric concentrations
of GHGs.
- The Canal plant could significantly reduce its emissions of harmful
pollutants or GHGs by switching to lower-sulfur fuel oil or increasing
its use of natural gas. Mirant LLC, the plant's owner, is resisting
calls to switch to cleaner but more expensive fuels. It is also challenging
state mandates to reduce its emissions.
- Mirant LLC is the largest taxpayer in the town of Sandwich.
Visions of Dirty Energy & Pollution See
Contributor's Guide below.
Contributor's Guide
The Canal Plant is not the only indicator of the air pollution problems
faced by local communities. Data, information, art, and photos are sought
that address topics such as the ones listed below:Facts on
Dirty Energy & Pollution
- Emissions from upwind power plants, vehicles, boats, planes, homes,
other buildings, etc.
- Smog, haze, fish contamination, and eutrophication problems
- Health impacts
- Your ideas?
Visions of Dirty Energy & Pollution
- Smokestacks, chimneys, and tailpipes
- Hazy days
- Acid rain
- Hazardous fish
- Respiratory ailments and other diseases
- True costs
- Your ideas?
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