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Mirant Corp. is on track to install pollution controls at its Dickerson generating plant that will bring the facility into compliance with the Maryland Healthy Air Act by its 2010 deadline, according to company representatives.
About one year of construction remains on new "scrubbers," flue gas desulfurization systems that will help remove sulfur dioxide from emissions, and the nearly $400 million technology is expected to be in operation by January 2010, according to Misty Allen, a Mirant spokeswoman. Testing should begin early next fall, she said.
And the company is currently seeking approval from the Maryland Public Service Commission to install selective catalytic reduction systems that remove nitrous oxides from the coal-fired plant's emissions, Allen said. Mirant hopes to receive the necessary permits by September and begin construction in October, she said. The $15 million systems are expected to be in operation by May.
The two projects are part of $1.6 billion in environmental initiatives at Mirant's three Maryland facilities spurred by the air quality legislation. The Healthy Air Act, which went into effect last July, was designed to bring the state in compliance with new National Ambient Air Quality Standards for emissions by 2010. The Maryland regulations mandate reductions in hazardous sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide and mercury emissions by coal-firing power plants.
One challenge Mirant has faced in moving forward with the project has been a shortage of skilled workers to install the systems, Allen said. Power plants throughout the state — and across the country — are making modifications to their facilities to come into federal compliance, she said, increasing the demand for contractors who can perform the work.
Mirant's Dickerson plant has long been controversial among environmentalists and residents in the surrounding rural community who have been concerned about pollution and the company's lack of communication with its neighbors. But critics of the plant say they support Mirant's efforts to lessen its effect on the region's air quality and have generally been pleased with its outreach to the community during the project.
"They've been really good about staying in touch with us, and we really appreciate that," said Gary Valen, president of the Sugarloaf Citizens' Association.
No residents attended an Aug. 25 public hearing in Beallsville on Mirant's application to install the selective catalytic reduction systems.
"As far as I can see, they're in compliance with the things they said they'd do," such as trying to ship materials by rail instead of truck and installing a traffic signal at Martinsburg Road and Route 28, Valen said. "…We do think the air quality will be improved with the scrubbers they put in, and that's a good thing."
