CALL TO ORDER: 5:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL: City Commissioners present: Randy Gray, Bill Beecher, Sandy Hinz, Diane Jovick-Kuntz and John Rosenbaum. Also present were the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Directors of Community Development, Planning, Public Works, Fiscal Services, Acting Police Chief, Fire Chief, Acting Director of Park and Recreation and the City Clerk.
General Manager of Southern Montana Electric G&T (SME), Tim Gregori, stated that the purpose for this presentation was to share information regarding emissions that would come from the proposed Coal Plant. He then introduced Mr. Chaffee, Bison Engineering, who reviewed the types of potential emissions as well as how the proposed technology would mitigate them.
Mr. Chaffee stated that the air pollution control equipment would include four major pieces - the Coal Fired Boiler, the flash dryer absorber for removing sulfur dioxide, the selective non-catalytic reduction unit to reduce nitrogen dioxide and the fabric filter or bag house used to control particulate emissions.
Air emissions from the facility would meet Best Available Control Technology (BACT) requirements as required by state and federal regulations Preliminary estimates of potential CFB boiler emissions including SO2 and NOx and carbon monoxide, volatile organize compounds and filterable particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter from the facility would be as follows:
SO2 - 440 tons/year
NOx - 810 tons/year
CO- 1150 tons/year
VOC - 25 tons/year
A test burn of Montana coal in a pilot scale CFB facility was conducted and demonstrated 95 percent emissions controlled with SO2. Following the test burn, Mr. Chaffee proposed that the plant meet 80 percent emissions control for mercury which would equate to about 44 pounds of mercury per year.
Mr. Gregori explained that if they proposed a 90 percent mercury emissions control standard, it may put the plant into a situation where the requirements were too strict for current technology to measure. He said it was like keeping track of ounces of gasoline in your automobile gas tank. The technology just isn't there to do that.
Commissioner Hinz asked about the methalization process and if they could guarantee that mercury emissions from this plant would not affect the waterways in Montana. Mr. Chaffee stated that the plant would not contribute to local methalization and that this was a global issue; something that should be addressed globally rather than at the local level.
Commissioner Beecher asked when the technology improved could it be incorporated into the plant that was proposed. Mr. Gregori replied it could.
Commissioner Hinz expressed concern about the volume of water the plant would require. Mr. Chaffee stated that it would require 4.6 million gallons per day and not only could the water treatment plant meet the need, it was also important for the City to increase its consumption or it risked losing established water rights if they were not proven up.
Commissioner Hinz also asked what the plan was for the waste water. Mr. Chaffee stated that they were stilling looking at options which included: discharging water into the river, pumping the waste water to the waster water treatment plant or putting the water into basins so that it would evaporate. One citizen in the audience asked if it could be treated and sold as potable water. Mr. Chaffee replied stating that the water would be very salty and would require treatment. However, it could be done.
Legislator Golie asked Mr. Gregori what would happen if the plant was not built. Mr. Gregori stated that he would be forced to purchase power from wherever he could to meet the needs of his customer.
Following a brief question and answer session from the Commission and audience members, Mayor Gray adjourned the regular work session of November 1, 2005, at 6:55 p.m.
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