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Gulf Power and NOX Emission
Mark
Y. Avelli
03/06/2003
Helped with unprecedented harassment by the local press, a small number of noisy eco-raptors have bludgeoned Gulf Power into investing $200 million to reduce both NOX emissions and subsequent ozone formation. The cost of this venture will be borne by all ratepayers. In due time, customers will be notified that their monthly power bills will be increased about $5.00. However, will the ozone level be reduced commensurate to the planned 61 % reduction in NOX emissions? Will improvements be seen in the overall health and quality of life in the panhandle? Data analysis indicates that measurable changes will be insignificant.
Eight hour average ozone levels above 85 ppb exceed EPA standards. During the past 5 years, this level was exceeded a grand total of only 12 days or on average 2.5 days per year. The last recorded high ozone day in Escambia County was 924 days ago on Aug. 18, 2000. Did Gulf Power stop burning coal these last 2.5 years?
During the past five years, two-thirds of the 12 high ozone days occurred during the months of May and August. What does this reveal? Average August temperatures always exceed those in May. Indeed, it is significant that over the past decade in all of Florida, over half of the high ozone days are recorded during the four cool months of March through June. This finding is inconsistent with the generally accepted notion that high temperatures and increased power use (air conditioners, etc.) promote ozone formation.
On three separate days recently, the Crist Plant produced historically high megawatts of power. Yet, the ozone level during these high production periods never approached 85 ppb. All variables considered, data exists to support the notion that there is a 50 % probability that the average ozone level will be higher after its planned improvements have been completed. The nihilistic absurdity of Gulf Power's $200 million dollar venture is predictable. Gulf Power will reduce NOX emissions 61 %, the ozone level will be the same or higher, and the measurable improvement on human health will be illusory. The EPA, eco-raptors and the press will convene to devise a superficially learned and wrong explanation for why $200 million dollars failed to produce the intended results, and the Public Service Commission will approve retention of the $5.00 monthly rate increase.
Mary Y. Avelli
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