Definition of Terms

BACT - Best Available Control Technology
The best available control technology to control polution from the coal fired process.

CCS - Carbon Capture and Storage
Storing carbon dioxide deep in the earth is a means of keeping it from going into the atmosphere. CCS applied to a modern conventional power plant could reduce CO2 emissions to the atmosphere by approximately 80-90% compared to a plant without CCS. Capturing and compressing CO2 requires energy and would increase the fuel needs of a plant with CCS by about 10-40%. These and other system costs are estimated to increase the cost of energy from a power plant with CCS by 30-60% depending on the specific circumstances. Storage of the CO2 is envisaged either in deep geological formations, deep oceans, or in the form of mineral carbonates(limestone).

CO2 - Carbon Dioxide
In general, it is exhaled by animals and utilized by plants during photosynthesis. Additional carbon dioxide is created by the combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas. Because of the later there is far too much CO2 in the earth's atmosphere, causing heat from the sun to be trapped, thus warming the earth.

Fly Ash
Fly ash is the finely divided mineral residue resulting from the combustion of coal in electric generating plants. In the past, fly ash produced from coal combustion was simply taken up by flue gases and dispersed into the atmosphere. This created environmental and health concerns that prompted laws which have reduced fly ash emissions to less than 1% of ash produced. Worldwide, more than 65% of fly ash produced from coal power stations is disposed of in landfills.

Global Warming
Refers to the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation. An increase in global temperatures is expected to cause changes, including sea level rise, increased intensity of extreme weather(hurricanes, tornados, cyclones, droughts), and changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation. Other effects of global warming include changes in agricultural yields, melting of glaciers, species extinctions and increases in the ranges of diseases.

Karst Geology Aquifers
A vary fragile limestone which breaks, fractures, shifts, collapses and sinks, sending volumes of water pathways in unmapped and sometimes rapidly changing directions and speeds. This very fragile karst is very often close to the surface making the whole water system extremely vulnerable to toxic pollution (as an example, mercury). The amount of karst encased water in Presque Isle and Alpena Counties is vast and immeasurable.

In The News

CEI Sues the DEQ
DEQ must follow the law says CEI lawsuit. read the full complaint

Minority Report

Here you can read the Minority Report written by Thomas Harkleroad and Byron DeLong, both Members of Presque Isle County Planning Commission.

Click Here to read the report.