Fossil Fuel Resistance - Centralia Coal Plant Weighs Washington Down with its EmissionsBy Robert Whitlock
The plant claims to be one of the cleanest coal burners in operation, and also to have the most friendly coal loading facility in North America. Even so, the fight against carbon dioxide greenhouse gas pollution found success in 2011, when the plant owner/operators agreed to completely shut down the coal burning operation by the year 2025, in a deal with former Governor Gregoire and the state Department of Ecology. Carbon pollution hasn't been the only problem related to plant operations: annual releases of mercury, a neuro-toxin, are estimated to be around 350 pounds. Mercury exposure is linked to intellectual and other developmental disabilities. The industry of burning coal for energy continues to be profitable for investors.
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The Centralia Steam Plant's generator is the single largest point source of carbon emissions in Washington State. The overall plant capacity is 1340-megawatt, and is capable of burning loads from nine coal trains with 110 cars each per week. According to Internet sources, TransAlta has been working hard in recent years to clean up its Centralia operations.