Sunday Morning News for Hendry, Glades and western Palm Beach County

January 28, 2007

FPL Not Telling Whole Story About Glades Power Plant?

St. Lucie Commissioner Says FPL 'Intentionally Deceiving'

MOORE HAVEN, FLORIDA -- In a communication to a Glades County commissioner, St. Lucie County Commissioner Charles Grande says FPL's proposed power plant in central Glades county is old technology and should not be allowed because of pollution emissions. The letter was sent to Glades Commission Donna Storter Long. Commissioner Long was the lone dissenter when the Glades Commissioners decided by vote to ignore a letter of caution from St. Lucie Commissioner Craft regarding the FPL proposal. The letter to Commissioner Long is published in full below:

"My name is Charles Grande and I am the county Commissioner for St Lucie County District 4.  I'm sure you are getting all of the coal plant data on both sides but, I thought I should give you my sense of what caused our County Commission to change from a group eager to hear this proposal to help diversify our sources of energy production while bringing jobs and tax revenues to our county, to a group solid in their opposition who voted it down unanimously.

The points on both sides were many and compelling but, at the end of the day, after an enormous investigation effort, it became clear that FPL was intentionally deceiving us regarding the fact they were proposing an out of date technology while trying to offset the clear dangers with a very advanced "scrubbing" process.  We learned that the "pulverized" coal burning process had been replaced by "Gasification (IGCC)", a process light years better because the process itself removed almost all of the harmful elements up front, during the process of gasifying the coal, before burning.  While this far more modern technology cost about 20% more in the capital construction cost of the power generation portion of the facility, much of the extra cost was actually recovered by the elimination of the cost needed for scrubbing emissions produced by a pulverized coal plant.  The differences in such lethal emissions as mercury are stunning.  It is clear that the only reason pulverized coal plants are still allowed is that standards geared to the really clean burning IGCC plants would outlaw all other existing coal plants which is simply not feasible in today environment.  If backed into a corner, even FPL will admit that IGCC is the future while pulverization is the past.

There are gasification plants in operation all over the country with emission figures that put the plant being proposed to your group to shame. One operational plant is as close as Tampa.  FPL is simply behind the times and unwilling to update their technological capability to the point where
they would be competent to implement such a plant.  The irony is, FPL is actually one of the better nuclear producers, a capable manager of gas production facilities, comparatively advanced in alternate methodologies - especially wind, but well behind the curve in coal.

Again, their presentation team will seduce you with their "dog and pony show" but, if you take the time to become even marginally knowledgeable about the alternatives available, your decision will become clear and simple. I hope the foregoing is helpful.  Considering the jobs and taxes picture, I know you are in a tough position - we've been there before you - but your residents, like ours, deserve the very best FPL can deliver and this proposal simply doesn't make the grade."

Glades Commissoner Long Replies

MOORE HAVEN, FLORIDA -- In reply to St. Lucie Commissioner Grande's letter to her, Glades Commissioner Donna Storter Long replied this week:

"Dear Commissioner Grande,

Thank you for the information. When the power park proposal was publicly made, my first reaction was ambivalent-financial aspect of course the heavy positive, but COAL? My prior knowledge of this fossil fuel resource was limited, and other than its plentiful availability, my perception was completely negative. I am trying to keep an open mind and learn as much as I can.

I have seen the FP&L presentation multiple times and their "show" IS quite convincing, especially in light of the proposed economic advantage to Glades County. However, the initial approach and negotiations were privately held for months before the Glades County Commission resolved to support the power park, and prior to my election to the Board in November. Therefore, I do NOT have all nor the same the information that persuaded my esteemed colleagues to vow their support. None (of our Board members) has experience or education in the power-producing field, but I do believe that all sincerely care about all aspects of Glades County's future, especially economically and environmentally.

And too, the property owner of the proposed site, Lykes Bros., with extensive land holdings in Glades and Highlands counties with plans for development, seems to me to be in the most vulnerable position to suffer any detriment from coal powered industry, yet are willing to sell property for this venture.

As part of the permitting process, our Deputy County Manager Larry Hilton has a meeting of experts scheduled for February 20, 6-9 pm at Doyle Conner Building in Moore Haven, with opportunity for the public to submit questions in writing for the panel's discussion. I expect this forum to provide an opportunity to address all issues, and allay concerns of those who felt excluded from the process when the initial proposal was not publicized before the Commission's announcement of support.

Thank you again. In addition, I apologize that Glades County Commission chose by 4-1 vote (my dissention) to ignore St. Lucie County Commissioner Craft's letter of appeal concerning the FPL Plant, especially in light of the regional, even global, impact a coal-powered industry will have. "