Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Where the Post got it very wrong on FPL..
Where the Palm Beach Post got it right…
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/search/content/opinion/epaper/2008/09/14/a16a_fpledit2_0914.html
On Sunday, September, 14, the Post made some keen observations on nuclear power. Ok, so it's a no-brainer really, but they deserve some credit for speaking up. Nuclear power is a bad plan. Of course it is not renewable or 'green' or in any way a responsible choice. It poses huge risks to public health, safety and the environment throughout its lifecycle—from extraction to generation. It doesn't make economic sense. It usurps tens-of-billions of dollars in financial resources from ratepayers and utility companies that should go into conservation methods and truly renewable, clean, decentralized energy production. By the time any of these proposed reactors are up and ready to be permitted for power generation, the window for shifting towards sustainable alternatives will be shut in our faces. We may be well beyond the climate tipping point (and scientists keep telling us we are closer to it than they have thought before.)
…And where they have it way wrong
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2008/09/14/a16a_fpledit1_0914.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=37
Gas-fired power generation is also far from a clean energy source; maybe as far as nukes (although one could say fossil fuels are slightly more renewable, I suppose). Contrary to the Post Editorial Board opinion, the West County Energy Center (WCEC) is a prime example of why. This plant at total capacity will emit over 12 Million tons of CO2 on its own. Add in the Riviera and Canaveral projects and make that around 20 million tons of CO2 that FPL is committing its ratepayers to. Now add to that the impacts of drilling, storing, transporting and fighting wars for the stuff. It is part and parcel of the same Energy Empire that is running this country, and this planet, into oblivion. Natural gas is a fossil fuel, no more natural than coal or oil. The fact that it burns less filthy than those fuels has been used as an excuse to depend on it to catastrophic excess. Today, the peak oil crisis is paralleled by an even steeper peak, what some have called the 'dash for gas', or what the analysts with the Colorado-based Community Office for Resource Efficiency have dubbed 'methane madness.' Check out their study at: http://www.oilcrisis.com/gas/primer/ (It is dated, but gives you a glimpse of the picture, which is only getting worse.) The addition of WCEC, Riviera and Canaveral to the grid will add 6200 megawatts of gas-fired electricity, bumping Florida up to more than 70% dependency on this fuel source. This is the polar opposite of what the praised Florida Senate Bill 888 intended to do back in 2005.
As for water, units 1 and 2 alone will suck near 7 billion gallons a year from aquifer and surficial sources, making them the largest single consumer of water in Palm Beach County. The only portion of the WCEC committed to re-use is unit 3. And that water is proposed to be piped 15 miles from our eastern corridor treatment facility, when it should be used right here along the urban core, where water demand is highest and salt water intrusion into our wells is the most severe. The Post also fails to mention FPL's plan to inject WCEC waste water into our aquifer? The WCEC will operate one of the largest deep well injection systems in Florida—the only industrial operation forcing its power plant waste underground—up to 21 millions gallons every day.
And shame on the Post for applauding the blackmail of Riviera residents and officials. FPL rakes in billions in annual profits—that is their primary motive. They let that old plant at the port belch out carcinogens onto surrounding communities for 62 years, over 20 of those disregarding federal Clean Air Act standards, because it made money to do so. To offer clean-up now is nothing more than a shallow public relations move to attempt building coerced support for the new WCEC plant in Loxahatchee (which will be the largest fossil fuel burner in the entire United States.) When several of us suggested two years ago in front of an Administrative Law Judge that cleaning up Riviera be made a priority before approval the first two units of the WCEC, they scoffed at us. Now that they are facing a mounting campaign of public pressure and litigation against the WCEC, and they pull it out of their back pocket. Marketing genius, if you own their stocks, but pretty damn disingenuous if you're the rest of us.
Speaking of litigation, it has been clear from the get-go that this plants approval is in violation of the NEPA, RICO and a couple dozen other state and federal laws. So, we feel pretty good about our lawsuits. And if we succeed in getting this goliath out of the Everglades, it will be with little credit to the Post Editorial Board, Randy Schultz in particular, who seems more concerned with holding a petty grudge against our Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition than with learning the true impacts of this monstrosity.
We have the tools and the urgency to make our breaks with the energy regime as sharp, clean and immediate as possible. But it means fighting all the bad proposals and policy in front of us, in order to make space for other options. Now is not the time to compromise for a greener apocalypse. The question: is there the will to do what needs to done? The Post indicates a 'no', and the Party Politics in this year's national elections seem to concur. But, from down here in the grassroots, where real change comes from, we beg to differ. We know were not alone... and we invite all of you out there to join us this Saturday, September 20, for a 10am rally and march, starting at the Everglades STA 1E site, ending at the WCEC construction site at the Palm Beach Aggregates rock mine and CERP project… From the swamps to the streets!
Also, if you haven't seen it yet, I suggest checking out the PBCEC, Green Party, et al, document on the potential future for energy options in Florida: http://pbcec.blogspot.com/2008/04/green-paper-on-climate-change-and.html
s/panagioti tsolkas, co-chair of PBCEC
Monday, September 15, 2008
Rally against FPL power plant at construction site in Everglades; Protesters demand full Environmental Impact Statement
For Immediate Release: September 15, 2008
Palm Beach County, FL – At 10am September 20, protesters from across South Florida will gather near the construction site of Florida Power & Light's West County Energy Center (WCEC), which is a 3800 megawatt fossil fuel power plant being constructed across the street from the functional headwaters of the northern Everglades ecosystem. The rally is to take place at STA-1E (past Lion Country Safari on Southern Blvd). This is the same location as the February action organized by Everglades Earth First!, which was received by a Sheriff road block of Southern Boulevard and the arrest of 26 peaceful protesters, many of whom still await court resolutions.
The newly-formed Everglades Environmental Coalition hopes to inform and involve the community in the ongoing permit process of FPL's West County Energy Center, including the plan's operating permit for injection their wastewater into the aquifer. The group claims that the entire process has been driven by corruption, profit and corporate interest at the expense of this unique ecosystem and all those who rely on it. The WCEC is under construction on a site which also houses a CERP project intended to improve the federally designated Wild and Scenic Loxahatchee River to the north and the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge to the south.
Organizers for the rally say that it will be a family-friendly event, intending to continue coalition building and outreach around what organizer Russell McSpadden has called "Everglades justice", which he says is "under threat due to the disregard that FPL has shown for Everglades Restoration by building what will be the largest fossil fuel power plant in the entire US, less than 1000 feet from a national wildlife refuge." He also argues that FPL has equally shown disrespect to the people of South Florida.
"South Floridians know the Everglades as a place of irreplaceable beauty, but also depend on it as our source of fresh drinking water. FPL will both pollute and overuse water from the Everglades watershed endangering humans as well as wildlife" says McSpadden.
According to another organizer, Ana Rodriguez, "we will rally and protest to demand a full environmental impact statement, which FPL has failed to provide, concerning the cumulative harm that the plant will cause to the Everglades and surrounding communities. It is as much a health hazard to residents of South Florida as it is an environmentally damaging project."
The WCEC site is awaiting an emergency hearing on a motion for injunction filed by the Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition in Federal Court.
The rally is organized by activists from the Everglades Environmental Coalition, which is supported by various grassroots groups including:
Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition (www.pbcec.blogspot.com),
Save It Now Glades! (www.saveitnowglades.org),
Sierra Student Coalition, Boca FAU (www.SSC.org),
Everglades Earth First! (www.evergladesearthfirst.org),
Central Florida Earth First!;
and Lake Worth Bike Coop (www.myspace.com/lakeworthbikecoop)
Organizers from the Lake Worth Bike Coop are hosting an 18 mile ride to the rally in support with the environmental organizations.
The coalition grassroots environmental activists are inviting the public and the media to help them record, monitor and prevent the police department's efforts to suppress their freedom of speech and their rights to peaceful assembly.
For technical details of WCEC or the Gulfstream Pipeline: www.RiverofGas.info
XXX
Palm Beach County, FL – At 10am September 20, protesters from across South Florida will gather near the construction site of Florida Power & Light's West County Energy Center (WCEC), which is a 3800 megawatt fossil fuel power plant being constructed across the street from the functional headwaters of the northern Everglades ecosystem. The rally is to take place at STA-1E (past Lion Country Safari on Southern Blvd). This is the same location as the February action organized by Everglades Earth First!, which was received by a Sheriff road block of Southern Boulevard and the arrest of 26 peaceful protesters, many of whom still await court resolutions.
The newly-formed Everglades Environmental Coalition hopes to inform and involve the community in the ongoing permit process of FPL's West County Energy Center, including the plan's operating permit for injection their wastewater into the aquifer. The group claims that the entire process has been driven by corruption, profit and corporate interest at the expense of this unique ecosystem and all those who rely on it. The WCEC is under construction on a site which also houses a CERP project intended to improve the federally designated Wild and Scenic Loxahatchee River to the north and the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge to the south.
Organizers for the rally say that it will be a family-friendly event, intending to continue coalition building and outreach around what organizer Russell McSpadden has called "Everglades justice", which he says is "under threat due to the disregard that FPL has shown for Everglades Restoration by building what will be the largest fossil fuel power plant in the entire US, less than 1000 feet from a national wildlife refuge." He also argues that FPL has equally shown disrespect to the people of South Florida.
"South Floridians know the Everglades as a place of irreplaceable beauty, but also depend on it as our source of fresh drinking water. FPL will both pollute and overuse water from the Everglades watershed endangering humans as well as wildlife" says McSpadden.
According to another organizer, Ana Rodriguez, "we will rally and protest to demand a full environmental impact statement, which FPL has failed to provide, concerning the cumulative harm that the plant will cause to the Everglades and surrounding communities. It is as much a health hazard to residents of South Florida as it is an environmentally damaging project."
The WCEC site is awaiting an emergency hearing on a motion for injunction filed by the Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition in Federal Court.
The rally is organized by activists from the Everglades Environmental Coalition, which is supported by various grassroots groups including:
Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition (www.pbcec.blogspot.com),
Save It Now Glades! (www.saveitnowglades.org),
Sierra Student Coalition, Boca FAU (www.SSC.org),
Everglades Earth First! (www.evergladesearthfirst.org),
Central Florida Earth First!;
and Lake Worth Bike Coop (www.myspace.com/lakeworthbikecoop)
Organizers from the Lake Worth Bike Coop are hosting an 18 mile ride to the rally in support with the environmental organizations.
The coalition grassroots environmental activists are inviting the public and the media to help them record, monitor and prevent the police department's efforts to suppress their freedom of speech and their rights to peaceful assembly.
For technical details of WCEC or the Gulfstream Pipeline: www.RiverofGas.info
XXX
Sunday, August 31, 2008
PBCEC Letter to Army Corps of Engineers Opposing Roebuck and Jog Road
Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition
¨Fighting for healthy ecosystems, open space and quality of life in Palm Beach County¨
822 North C Street, Lake Worth, FL 33460 561-588-9666
August 27, 2008
To: Justin.W.Hughes@usace.army.mil
Justin W. Hughes
District Corps of Engineers
Department of the Army
2170 SW Canal Street
Stuart, FL 34997
Re: Roebuck Road Permit Application No. SAJ-2008-2749 (IP-JWH) and
Jog Road Permit Application No. SAJ-2006-6142 (IP-JWH)
The Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition (PBCEC) is opposed to the construction/extension of these roads. We suggest a denial of this permit and the pursuit of a no-build option. The cumulative impacts will be a great burden to the public and the permits for new, extended roads do not adequately take into the consideration for public transportation increases, and other available options, to address traffic concerns in a safer, more cost effective, environmentally sensitive manor.
The impacts to hydrological flow and wildlife habitat in the Loxahatchee Slough ecosystem are unacceptable. Participants in the PBCEC utilize the wetlands of Grass Waters Preserve for recreation and drinking water supply and we must fight to protect these important public resources from encroachment by poorly planned urban infrastructure projects such as those represented by Roebuck Road Permit Application No. SAJ-2008-2749 (IP-JWH) and Jog Road Permit Application No. SAJ-2006-6142 (IP-JWH).
The greater Everglades Ecosystem, which consists of interconnected shallow and underground water flow, has taken impacts from urban development far beyond its capacity to sustain a regionally viable watershed. It is the subject of the world's largest, most ambitious restoration endeavor—the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). These roads threaten to negatively interfere with quality and quantity of water and habitat that are intended for improvement through the Northeast CERP effort to restore water availability to the Loxahatchee Slough and River.
The Grass Waters Preserve is also a key component of the Northeast Everglades Natural Area (NENA) plan, which is an collaborative interagency effort to maintain and improve the regions wildlife recreational access, including Palm Beach County Environmental Resource Management, South Florida Water Management District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other various local governing bodies. We feel these roads will negatively impact the NENA process.
Thank you for considering our comments. If you have any questions regarding our position, please do not hesitate to get in touch,
Panagioti Tsolkas
Co-Chair, PBCEC
561-588-9666
www.pbcec.blogspot.com
¨Fighting for healthy ecosystems, open space and quality of life in Palm Beach County¨
822 North C Street, Lake Worth, FL 33460 561-588-9666
August 27, 2008
To: Justin.W.Hughes@usace.army.mil
Justin W. Hughes
District Corps of Engineers
Department of the Army
2170 SW Canal Street
Stuart, FL 34997
Re: Roebuck Road Permit Application No. SAJ-2008-2749 (IP-JWH) and
Jog Road Permit Application No. SAJ-2006-6142 (IP-JWH)
The Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition (PBCEC) is opposed to the construction/extension of these roads. We suggest a denial of this permit and the pursuit of a no-build option. The cumulative impacts will be a great burden to the public and the permits for new, extended roads do not adequately take into the consideration for public transportation increases, and other available options, to address traffic concerns in a safer, more cost effective, environmentally sensitive manor.
The impacts to hydrological flow and wildlife habitat in the Loxahatchee Slough ecosystem are unacceptable. Participants in the PBCEC utilize the wetlands of Grass Waters Preserve for recreation and drinking water supply and we must fight to protect these important public resources from encroachment by poorly planned urban infrastructure projects such as those represented by Roebuck Road Permit Application No. SAJ-2008-2749 (IP-JWH) and Jog Road Permit Application No. SAJ-2006-6142 (IP-JWH).
The greater Everglades Ecosystem, which consists of interconnected shallow and underground water flow, has taken impacts from urban development far beyond its capacity to sustain a regionally viable watershed. It is the subject of the world's largest, most ambitious restoration endeavor—the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). These roads threaten to negatively interfere with quality and quantity of water and habitat that are intended for improvement through the Northeast CERP effort to restore water availability to the Loxahatchee Slough and River.
The Grass Waters Preserve is also a key component of the Northeast Everglades Natural Area (NENA) plan, which is an collaborative interagency effort to maintain and improve the regions wildlife recreational access, including Palm Beach County Environmental Resource Management, South Florida Water Management District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other various local governing bodies. We feel these roads will negatively impact the NENA process.
Thank you for considering our comments. If you have any questions regarding our position, please do not hesitate to get in touch,
Panagioti Tsolkas
Co-Chair, PBCEC
561-588-9666
www.pbcec.blogspot.com
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Environmentalists file Emergency Injunction to stop construction on the expansion of the Gulfstream pipeline and FPL power plant
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 30, 2008
Contacts
Federal litigation: Barry Silver, Esq. 561-483-6900; David Reiner, Esq. 305-670-8282
PBCEC: Panagioti Tsolkas 561-588-9666
Everglades Earth First!: Lynne Purvis 561-588-3974
Environmentalists file Emergency Injunction to stop construction on the expansion of the Gulfstream pipeline and FPL power plant adjacent to Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge;
Meanwhile, the battle against expansion construction continues at the ground level and in criminal court
Palm Beach and Martin County, FL– A Motion for Emergency Injunction was filed in Federal Court August 29, 2008 by the Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition (PBCEC) in response to an August 21 order to "commence operations" for gas pipeline fueling for the West County Energy Center. Meanwhile activists arrested for their opposition continue to fight charges in Martin and Palm Beach County Court.
In explaining the justification for both the request for Emergency Injection and the need for continued protest, Co-counsel Barry Silver noted, “With the accelerating climate change we have seen in recent years and the horrific and catastrophic changes in our planet's environment as a result of these changes, there is no more time for half-measures in dealing with this crisis. It is the height of irresponsibility for FPL to even consider spending billions of dollars for another fossil fuel power plant, simply to provide energy for people that are not even here and, according to recent demographic changes, perhaps never will be here.”
After more than two years of battle, including 6 administrative legal challenges (five of which are still pending), dozens of demonstrations and more than 30 arrests for multiple civil disobedience actions, the activists are asking Judge Middlebrooks to halt any further damage to regional ecosystems caused by construction while their Federal legal complaint is reviewed. This complaint alleges multiple counts of Federal and State violations, including: NEPA, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RICO, Sunshine Law, and others. Several of these violations pose immediate risks, necessitating the Motion for an Emergency Temporary Injunction.
A previous press conference in May of this year announcing the filing of this Federal Complaint ended in the arrest of plaintiff and PBCEC co-chair Panagioti Tsolkas on an alleged felony warrant in Martin County for trespassing on Gulfstream Pipeline property. Although the arrest caused hardships and delays for the group’s work, it has solidified their commitment to fighting this project. The charges against Tsolkas, resulting from construction monitoring activities related to the group’s litigation, were dropped by Martin County on August 13, 2008.
"We refuse to be silenced by these energy giants" said Tsolkas. "They are pulling the political strings across the world and driving the planet's remaining human and wildlife habitats into oblivion. No person with a conscience can stand by and watch it happen any longer."
Tsolkas says he expects the court to grant the Injunction and require the permitting process to include a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will review cumulative and secondary risks associated with the segmented project.
"We have a basic, fundamental demand. There is really not any way around it. Projects of this scale need an EIS.” Tsolkas says he is frustrated that Governor Crist (named as a Defendant) could revoke this power plant at anytime for violating the Final Certification approved by Governor Bush's Cabinet in December 2006. “Unfortunately we can't sit and wait for that."
Protests and civil disobedience lawsuits continue
PBCEC plans to continue fighting FPL's Loxahatchee proposal on the community level as well. The group is a key sponsor in a 'Rally for the Everglades' scheduled for September 20, starting at Stormwater Treatment Area 1E, less than a mile east from the WCEC site at Palm Beach Aggregates. It is expected to be one of the largest anti-FPL protests to date.
Another group sponsoring the September 20 event is Everglades Earth First! (EEF!), who was involved in the blockade that stopped construction on February 18 at the WCEC and sparked national media coverage. Several of those arrested are still facing trial, but a significant victory was won by the group and their Public Defenders this week when Judge Cohen ruled against restitution to the Sheriff by the protesters. The group viewed the restitution demand as unconstitutional. A sentencing hearing occurred as well on August 29 for four protesters from the group. Thirty-eight officers with the Palm Beach County Sheriff attended the hearing to testify on behalf of the State Attorney's Office to renew the push for restitution. No resolution is expected until later this month.
According to EEF! Organizer Lynne Purvis, “a goal of taking this criminal case to trial has been to show the public that it is a necessity to stand up for our planet; sometimes civil disobedience is needed and that should not be discouraged by squads of riot police and frivolous restitution claims.”
“Damage is being done right now by construction associated with the FPL WCEC expansion. The impact will be magnified if that plant goes into operation, as millions of gallons of water is sucked from the Everglades and thousands of tons greenhouse gases and ozone are spewed into the air every day. Our ongoing protests and the legal injunction filed today go hand-in-hand. There is an urgent need for people to take action now. Otherwise, it may be a moot point in the near future.”
Copies of the Amended Complaint and Motion for Injunctive Relief are available electronically from Barry Silver; emergency affidavits of experts and plaintiffs will be available on Tuesday, September 2 (BarryBoca@aol.com). For more information on WCEC, Gulfstream and other related issues, see: www.RiverofGas.info
xxx
Contacts
Federal litigation: Barry Silver, Esq. 561-483-6900; David Reiner, Esq. 305-670-8282
PBCEC: Panagioti Tsolkas 561-588-9666
Everglades Earth First!: Lynne Purvis 561-588-3974
Environmentalists file Emergency Injunction to stop construction on the expansion of the Gulfstream pipeline and FPL power plant adjacent to Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge;
Meanwhile, the battle against expansion construction continues at the ground level and in criminal court
Palm Beach and Martin County, FL– A Motion for Emergency Injunction was filed in Federal Court August 29, 2008 by the Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition (PBCEC) in response to an August 21 order to "commence operations" for gas pipeline fueling for the West County Energy Center. Meanwhile activists arrested for their opposition continue to fight charges in Martin and Palm Beach County Court.
In explaining the justification for both the request for Emergency Injection and the need for continued protest, Co-counsel Barry Silver noted, “With the accelerating climate change we have seen in recent years and the horrific and catastrophic changes in our planet's environment as a result of these changes, there is no more time for half-measures in dealing with this crisis. It is the height of irresponsibility for FPL to even consider spending billions of dollars for another fossil fuel power plant, simply to provide energy for people that are not even here and, according to recent demographic changes, perhaps never will be here.”
After more than two years of battle, including 6 administrative legal challenges (five of which are still pending), dozens of demonstrations and more than 30 arrests for multiple civil disobedience actions, the activists are asking Judge Middlebrooks to halt any further damage to regional ecosystems caused by construction while their Federal legal complaint is reviewed. This complaint alleges multiple counts of Federal and State violations, including: NEPA, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RICO, Sunshine Law, and others. Several of these violations pose immediate risks, necessitating the Motion for an Emergency Temporary Injunction.
A previous press conference in May of this year announcing the filing of this Federal Complaint ended in the arrest of plaintiff and PBCEC co-chair Panagioti Tsolkas on an alleged felony warrant in Martin County for trespassing on Gulfstream Pipeline property. Although the arrest caused hardships and delays for the group’s work, it has solidified their commitment to fighting this project. The charges against Tsolkas, resulting from construction monitoring activities related to the group’s litigation, were dropped by Martin County on August 13, 2008.
"We refuse to be silenced by these energy giants" said Tsolkas. "They are pulling the political strings across the world and driving the planet's remaining human and wildlife habitats into oblivion. No person with a conscience can stand by and watch it happen any longer."
Tsolkas says he expects the court to grant the Injunction and require the permitting process to include a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will review cumulative and secondary risks associated with the segmented project.
"We have a basic, fundamental demand. There is really not any way around it. Projects of this scale need an EIS.” Tsolkas says he is frustrated that Governor Crist (named as a Defendant) could revoke this power plant at anytime for violating the Final Certification approved by Governor Bush's Cabinet in December 2006. “Unfortunately we can't sit and wait for that."
Protests and civil disobedience lawsuits continue
PBCEC plans to continue fighting FPL's Loxahatchee proposal on the community level as well. The group is a key sponsor in a 'Rally for the Everglades' scheduled for September 20, starting at Stormwater Treatment Area 1E, less than a mile east from the WCEC site at Palm Beach Aggregates. It is expected to be one of the largest anti-FPL protests to date.
Another group sponsoring the September 20 event is Everglades Earth First! (EEF!), who was involved in the blockade that stopped construction on February 18 at the WCEC and sparked national media coverage. Several of those arrested are still facing trial, but a significant victory was won by the group and their Public Defenders this week when Judge Cohen ruled against restitution to the Sheriff by the protesters. The group viewed the restitution demand as unconstitutional. A sentencing hearing occurred as well on August 29 for four protesters from the group. Thirty-eight officers with the Palm Beach County Sheriff attended the hearing to testify on behalf of the State Attorney's Office to renew the push for restitution. No resolution is expected until later this month.
According to EEF! Organizer Lynne Purvis, “a goal of taking this criminal case to trial has been to show the public that it is a necessity to stand up for our planet; sometimes civil disobedience is needed and that should not be discouraged by squads of riot police and frivolous restitution claims.”
“Damage is being done right now by construction associated with the FPL WCEC expansion. The impact will be magnified if that plant goes into operation, as millions of gallons of water is sucked from the Everglades and thousands of tons greenhouse gases and ozone are spewed into the air every day. Our ongoing protests and the legal injunction filed today go hand-in-hand. There is an urgent need for people to take action now. Otherwise, it may be a moot point in the near future.”
Copies of the Amended Complaint and Motion for Injunctive Relief are available electronically from Barry Silver; emergency affidavits of experts and plaintiffs will be available on Tuesday, September 2 (BarryBoca@aol.com). For more information on WCEC, Gulfstream and other related issues, see: www.RiverofGas.info
xxx
Friday, August 22, 2008
Environmental groups tell FMPA Dedication: "Kick the Fossil Fuel Addiction, No New Gas Plants in Florida!"
For Immediate Release August 14, 2008:
Contact: Rachel Kijewski, EvergladesEarthFirst@gmail.com; Panagioti Tsolkas 561-588-9666, PBCEnvirocoalition@gmail.com
www.EvergladesEarthFirst.org
Fort Pierce, FL - Everglades Earth First! and Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition denounce the opening of Florida Municipal Power Agency's Treasure Coast Energy Center (TCEC) for furthering dependence on unsustainable fossil fuel and adding to the cumulative impacts of regional pollution and water consumption. While this dedication is only for the 300 MW unit 1, FMPA has an ultimate site certification for 1,200 MW. The dedication event will begin at 11am, at Selvitz Road, north of West Midway Road, Fort Pierce.
The group cites the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in criticizing Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) for the concerns they have presented.
According to TCRPC, this plant is the primary component of their required Ten Year Site Plan for 2008-2017, which has been found "inconsistent with Strategic Regional Policy Plan Goal 9.1, Decreased vulnerability of the region to fuel price increases and supply interruptions and Strategy 9.1.1 Reduce the region's reliance on fossil fuels." (5/16/2008)
According to FWC, "Air quality impacts associated with fossil fuel-burning power plants include emission of greenhouse gases; bioaccumulation of methylmercury in fish and wildlife; increased regional haze; and acidification of lakes, rivers and streams (DEP 2005)… [We] are concerned about potential for adverse impacts associated with the cumulative effects of future units combined with construction of other proposed new power plants" (10/4/05)
Everglades Earth First! activist Rachel Kijewski, who is a resident of Port St. Lucie, says "This plant is an environmental nightmare which is connected to a whole list of fossil fuel infrastructure coming to Florida."
She cites proposals for new gas pipelines across the state and two new Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) facilities on the table, one on-shore in Indiantown, the other off-shore in Broward, as evidence that utilities in the state are expanding their dependency on finite, carbon-emitting resources to accommodate new power plants such as the TCEC.
The reality of climate change, drought and cumulative air pollution demand that projects such as TCEC be abandoned in favor of renewable, decentralized energy generation. The TCRPC Ten Year Site Plan report suggests a "shift to rooftop photovoltaic systems".
Everglades Earth First! may not actually be present to attend the TCEC Dedication event, due to this week's trial of activists arrested protesting the construction of the West County Energy Center, an FPL power plant under construction in Loxahatchee, Palm Beach County, but they hope to be there in spirit.
XXX
Contact: Rachel Kijewski, EvergladesEarthFirst@gmail.com; Panagioti Tsolkas 561-588-9666, PBCEnvirocoalition@gmail.com
www.EvergladesEarthFirst.org
Fort Pierce, FL - Everglades Earth First! and Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition denounce the opening of Florida Municipal Power Agency's Treasure Coast Energy Center (TCEC) for furthering dependence on unsustainable fossil fuel and adding to the cumulative impacts of regional pollution and water consumption. While this dedication is only for the 300 MW unit 1, FMPA has an ultimate site certification for 1,200 MW. The dedication event will begin at 11am, at Selvitz Road, north of West Midway Road, Fort Pierce.
The group cites the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in criticizing Florida Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) for the concerns they have presented.
According to TCRPC, this plant is the primary component of their required Ten Year Site Plan for 2008-2017, which has been found "inconsistent with Strategic Regional Policy Plan Goal 9.1, Decreased vulnerability of the region to fuel price increases and supply interruptions and Strategy 9.1.1 Reduce the region's reliance on fossil fuels." (5/16/2008)
According to FWC, "Air quality impacts associated with fossil fuel-burning power plants include emission of greenhouse gases; bioaccumulation of methylmercury in fish and wildlife; increased regional haze; and acidification of lakes, rivers and streams (DEP 2005)… [We] are concerned about potential for adverse impacts associated with the cumulative effects of future units combined with construction of other proposed new power plants" (10/4/05)
Everglades Earth First! activist Rachel Kijewski, who is a resident of Port St. Lucie, says "This plant is an environmental nightmare which is connected to a whole list of fossil fuel infrastructure coming to Florida."
She cites proposals for new gas pipelines across the state and two new Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) facilities on the table, one on-shore in Indiantown, the other off-shore in Broward, as evidence that utilities in the state are expanding their dependency on finite, carbon-emitting resources to accommodate new power plants such as the TCEC.
The reality of climate change, drought and cumulative air pollution demand that projects such as TCEC be abandoned in favor of renewable, decentralized energy generation. The TCRPC Ten Year Site Plan report suggests a "shift to rooftop photovoltaic systems".
Everglades Earth First! may not actually be present to attend the TCEC Dedication event, due to this week's trial of activists arrested protesting the construction of the West County Energy Center, an FPL power plant under construction in Loxahatchee, Palm Beach County, but they hope to be there in spirit.
XXX
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