{"id":29007,"date":"2015-09-24T19:43:36","date_gmt":"2015-09-24T19:43:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/viconsortium.com\/?p=29007"},"modified":"2015-09-24T19:43:53","modified_gmt":"2015-09-24T19:43:53","slug":"wapa-signs-legal-agreement-with-epa-and-u-s-dept-of-justice-to-reduce-air-pollution-at-two-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wp.viconsortium.com\/?p=29007","title":{"rendered":"WAPA Signs Legal Agreement With EPA And U.S. Dept. Of Justice To Reduce Air Pollution At Two Plants"},"content":{"rendered":"

WASHINGTON \u2013 Under an agreement announced today by the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (VIWAPA) will come into compliance with the federal Clean Air Act at its Krum Bay facility on St. Thomas and Cruz Bay facility on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, a press release the U.S. DOJ issued this afternoon has revealed.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the release, the settlement resolves numerous violations of the Clean Air Act, including VIWAPA\u2019s failure to properly operate pollution control equipment to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter that can cause serious respiratory illness.\u00a0 These pollutants are linked to health problems, including asthma, lung and heart disease.\u00a0 VIWAPA will spend approximately $12.2 million to comply with the agreement\u2019s requirements.\u00a0 VIWAPA will also pay a $1.3 million penalty.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Separate from the settlement, VIWAPA has been in the process of converting several of its oil-fired turbines at the St. Thomas facility to be capable of burning liquefied petroleum gas or liquefied natural gas.\u00a0 The settlement requires that at least 85 percent of the power VIWAPA generates from the converted units be from burning liquefied petroleum gas or liquefied natural gas at the converted units and renewable sources.\u00a0 The agreement will result in a reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 1,300 tons per year and particulate matter emissions by approximately 185 tons per year.\u00a0 In addition, the conversion to LPG or LNG will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the St. Thomas facility by approximately 66,000 tons per year and sulfur dioxide by approximately 200 tons per year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToday\u2019s settlement marks another milestone in our ongoing efforts to enforce the Clean Air Act and reduce air pollution from power plants,\u201d said Assistant Attorney General John C. Cruden for the Justice Department\u2019s Environment and Natural Resources Division.\u00a0 \u201cThis settlement will eliminate thousands of tons of harmful air pollution each year, significantly improving air quality in the Virgin Islands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis settlement will drastically reduce the amount of air pollution in the Virgin Islands and bring the St. Thomas power plant, one of the most significant sources of air pollution in the U.S. Virgin Islands, into compliance with the Clean Air Act,\u201d said Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck for EPA.<\/span><\/p>\n

Under the Clean Air Act, large industrial facilities that make modifications that increase air pollution emissions must install best available control technology.\u00a0 VIWAPA operates with a permit that requires it to use the best available control technology to control emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.\u00a0 The complaint, which this settlement resolves, alleged numerous violations, including that VIWAPA had not properly operated nor maintained its water injection pollution control system during various times from October 2005 through December 2013.\u00a0 The complaint also alleged that the St. Thomas facility failed to meet the opacity (smoke) emission limits during normal operations and failed to conduct continuous monitoring to ensure compliance with its limits, and to keep proper records.<\/span><\/p>\n

U<\/span>nder the agreement, at the St. Thomas facility, VIWAPA will:<\/span><\/p>\n