1	Proposed Power Plant Issues from an Adamstown Resident Don James www.Adamstown.us
2	Contents My Position Adamstown Regional Plan Benefits to Sempra/Catoctin Creation of www.adamstown.us Environmental Safety Quality of Life Benefits to Adamstown? Summary What do I want from the BOCC?
3	My Position My position is simple Until it is proven to me that my family and my community are not endangered, or adversely affected by this plant… I will stand in opposition
4	Adamstown Regional Plan Plan from 2001 – Ordinance 01-26 Keeps GI Zoning yet acknowledges residential growth I don’t believe that anyone expected Eastalco to bring in another major source of pollutants Placed development restrictions on Wade property to maintain goals of plan Goal III – Provide Quality Living Environment Latest Developments New 700 home development in approval process for Adamstown Region
5	Benefits to Eastalco & Sempra/Catoctin Exiting Power Line Existing Zoning Close to Natural Gas supply Potential Access to Treated Water supply County has lots of work to do Eastalco gets potential future source of electricity No guarantee that Eastalco will remain viable No guarantee that they will use this source
6	Creation of www.adamstown.us Notice of CPCN filing Sempra’s web site provided only out-dated – one sided information Information has since been updated. No forum available for dissemination of opinion or free flow of information No central point for information gathering
7	Creation of www.Adamstown.us … Information and links to additional information Questions, comments Uncensored mailing list (open to anyone) for the dissemination of opinions, comments, questions Long term vision is to use it for many purposes beyond the power plant – local events, organizations, etc Already adding CMFC and Cub Scouts
8	Environmental We do NOT know what the current state of the air is in Adamstown Sempra is not required to do local testing as part of the permitting process Sempra states that their modeling shows that most of the impact is on the power plant property Unfortunately, it’s all buried in pages of numbers We requested the numbers be turned into graphic overlays of the area, but nothing yet. We have Essroc Cement Corp, Trans-Tech Inc. and the Dickerson / Mirant 863MW Power Plant
9	Environmental CPCN application states plant will be a major facility for Emissions of nitrous oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and PM10 under PSD regulations NOx and volatile organic compounds (VOC) under nonattainment regulations Also possible that the emissions increase of sulfur dioxide (SO2) will be in excess of the EPA’s significant emission rates PM 2.5 is at the same levels as PM 10 – Frederick has been designated as non-attainment for PM 10
10	Environmental … It states that they plan to purchase offsets to help deal with the emissions How does that make the air cleaner in Adamstown? Sempra states they are trying to purchase locally From Scorecard.org Eastalco already in the top 10% of the dirtiest facilities in the country Frederick already in the top 10% of the dirtiest counties in the country
11	Environmental … EPA officially included Frederick in the ‘nonattainment’ category for Ozone We must come up with a plan by 2007 Water supply concerns discharge pollutants Many issues as addressed in the Frederick County preliminary Report
12	Safety Explosions This plant is gas fueled. Gas can explode. What happens if there is an explosion? What about the chemicals stored there? What about secondary explosions / chemicals stored at Eastalco? How far away will the shock wave be dangerous? Carroll Manor Elementary is 1 ¼ mile from the plant with nothing in between. It was nice to see that there will be no on-site gas storage No Blast / Risk Assessment been conducted.
13	Safety … Our Children will spend 24 hours a day less than 2 miles from the plant being subjected to the additional pollutants Their bodies and minds are still developing Clean air is preferred The EPA developed the clear air regulations for a reason. To protect us. Purchasing offsets does not protect Adamstown Construction Phase No major impacts
14	Quality of Life Goal III – Provide a Quality Living Environment for all How do you do this by allowing the introduction of new noise? Sempra states we won’t even be able to hear it, but again, let’s see graphic overlays How do you do this by allowing the introduction of a new source of pollutants that is significant enough to require an additional EPA and regulatory reviews, and the purchase of offsets?
15	Quality of Life … Loss of Home Value No one wants to purchase a home that is so close to a power plant No one wants their children in a school with a nice view of the power plant When the current housing boom ends, people will not want to move to Adamstown Noise – might only be minor Lights at night (the plans call for various mitigation strategies for this) – might only be minor Visual effect to the landscape – might only be minor but a berm along Ballenger Creek Pike would help!
16	Direct Benefits to Adamstown? Absolutely none that I can see. Will it lower my electricity costs – No Will it expand my community facilities – No Adamstown / Southern Frederick County is in need of a lot of improvements New Firehouse and equipment Additional recreational facilities – ball fields, large regional swimming pool, etc Road improvements
17	Summary Is it good for Sempra/Catoctin and Eastalco -- Without a doubt Is it good for Maryland – Possibly Is it safe for Adamstown residents and GOOD for Adamstown?? I have yet to be convinced
18	What do I want from the BOCC? Adopt a Resolution AGAINST the power plant I’m still waiting to be convinced, and since that hasn’t happened and the hearings start next week – the time to act is now If the plant is approved: Stop all development in the Adamstown region that has not already commenced construction 1 year after plant operation begins re-assess impact Update the Adamstown Regional Plan at that point – before approving any additional development