B.L. England Plant’s Air Pollution Limits Bring Pros, Cons to May 17 Hearing

PETERSBURG – On May 17 at the Upper Township Municipal Building, the state Department of Environmental Protection held a hearing regarding its proposal to modify permitting of the B.L. England generating station air pollution limits.  
The hearing on the plant’s “Air Pollution Control Operating Permit” would allow conversion of the coal-fired plant to one producing methane gas.
Against the backdrop of a meeting room filled with environmental representatives, those employed or wanting to be employed at the plant, and concerned citizens, the hearing focused on a permit renewal with significant modification for the facility regarding its air pollution controls. 
During the two-hour opportunity to provide input, both sides of the issue trod well-worn ground on the benefits as well as the disadvantages of the project: those in favor of the project view it as guaranteeing energy “security” and generating jobs. Those opposing it believe it would create a travesty of long-standing Pinelands protection measures.
South Jersey Gas is seeking to convert the facility’s gas- and coal-powered generating station into natural gas via a 22-mile pipeline with a proposed route running through Maurice River Township, Estell Manor and Upper Township.
According to the utility’s website, B.L. England is under a consent order from the state Department of Environmental Protection to repower the plant with natural gas or install controls to reduce emissions.
Its $90-million project, per pipeline proponents, will provide system reliability and reinforcement for South Jersey Gas customers in Cape May and Atlantic counties.
The facility is considered a major hazardous air pollutant facility because allowed emissions of any hazardous air pollutant are more than 10 tons annually.
A representative of unions and contractors employed or could be employed at the plant noted that “these jobs are critical for this area, and we want to stay economically competitive.”
According to a joint statement from Georgina Stanley, who attended, and Robert Allen, of Citizens United Renewable Energy (CURE), “politicians and South Jersey Gas shareholders tout this conversion as making the air cleaner when, in fact, methane gas is a 25 times more potent greenhouse gas polluter than (carbon dioxide) from the coal plant. To achieve this for-profit plan, the 1.1 million acre UNESCO Biosphere – the Pine Barrens – will be put at risk, as well as the 17 trillion-gallon aquifer, by a 24-inch wide, 22 miles long gas transmission pipeline.”
“The pipeline will be horizontally drilled under, at least, 14 streams, two creeks and a pond. A surgical cut along a main road is what the politicians are saying, however, homes, a fire station, churches and a day-care center will share the space.
Sea level rise is a fact, and the picture is grim for the state’s coastal communities. It is projected that in Cape May County alone almost 40 percent of projected residents will have to leave by 2100,” they stated.
Shanley continued, “Not only will sea level rise but also more intense weather events will be seen. The Pinelands is a fire-prone area under normal circumstances but with these new extreme patterns “The single most destructive fire in U.S. history could occur in the Pine Barrens…” With two gas transmission pipelines being approved through this 1.1 million acre preserve the potential for fires increases exponentially. While creating jobs is important, we need to focus on the irreversible damage this project will do.”
New Jersey Sierra Club Director, Jeff Tittel, said at the hearing, “We are requesting more time to review this permit request. We have noted a number of inconsistencies and discrepancies such as a difference between permit requests and actual results in sulfur dioxide emissions and use of dangerous metals. We don’t even know if they have financing for the plant, and it is unneeded and unwarranted especially given that the plant in Atlantic City is not even being used.”
Tittel continued, “The B.L. England power plant is a threat to our lungs and the environment. It should have been closed in 2007, but now they want to keep it open with a new permit that is a dirty deal for dirty air. The Department of Environmental Protection must reject this permit because it will allow the plant to keep polluting for decades and get around regulations and emission standards. 
“Repowering this plant will allow the South Jersey Gas pipeline to cut an ugly scar through the Pinelands. It will also undercut our need to transition to renewable energy and will increase climate change impacts. Instead of its expected closure, this permit will allow the plant to repower, so they don’t have to meet the most up-to-date air quality standards. The air permit would increase the plant’s operation to 24/7, 365 days per year.
“It will increase methane, which is 70 times more potent greenhouse gas compared to CO2, not to mention methane leaks from the pipeline and the power plant. This power plant will still be the largest polluter and greenhouse gas emitter in this part of South Jersey,” Tittel said.
Any outcome resulting from the permit request or comments made at this hearing will be made public at a later date.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.