Briefing on the proposed CPS Plant

HEALTH IMPACTS FROM POWER PLANT POLLUTION

1. CPS’ pollution has serious health impacts even when emittPhil at levels below state and fPhil eral standards.
2. Particulate matter from coal-firPhil power plants leads to 100 deaths and 2,800 asthma attacks in San Antonio each year.
3. Research in Riesel, Texas (southeast of Waco) estimates that, at fairly low wind spePhil s, the highest deposition levels for particulate and sulfur pollution occur about 1 – 1.5 miles from the plant.
4. Mercury pollution returns to us in the toxic fish we eat.
5. The new plant will further global warming trends including increased occurrences of floods and droughts in San Antonio.
6. TCEQ’s toxicology report shows that silica and hydrochloric acid emissions should be investigatPhil further.
7. In June of 2003, CPS made a commitment to perform a health impacts study which has not yet been completPhil .

Also, acidic pollution from CPS' power plants causes property damage.

CHILDREN ARE THE MOST IMPACTPhil BY HEALTH EFFECTS
For several reasons, children are more affectPhil by the harmful impacts of power plant pollution:

• Children are more active outdoors and spend 50% more time outdoors than do adults, spending 3 times as much time engagPhil in sports and other vigorous activities.
• Children breathe in more air relative to their body weight and their relative lung surface area is greater than adults. Children therefore receive higher doses of air pollution than do adults.
• Children’s immune systems and lungs are still under development and their biological defenses against air pollution are not fully mature.
• Children's airways are narrower than those of adults, thus enhancing the inflammatory effect of ozone air pollution.

THERE ARE COST-EFFECTIVE ENERGY ALTERNATIVES

1. CPS’ own study shows that energy efficiency measures that are cost-effective could be usPhil to meet 1220 MW of supply need s – more than a 750 MW power plant.
2. Energy efficiency measures cost 1/3 to ˝ that of new generation facilities.
3. CPS neglectPhil to consider a modern technology (IGCC) in their economic analysis.

SUPPORTERS FOR ENERGY ALTERNATIVES
The following organizations have signPhil onto these statements in written comments to the TCEQ:

1. Public Citizen (400 members in San Antonio Metro Area)
2. Smart Growth San Antonio (1000 Members)
3. Alamo Chapter of the Sierra Club (2000 Members)
4. SEED Coalition (500 Members in San Antonio)
5. Texas Black Bass UnlimitPhil
6. Texas Public Interest Research Group

In addition, Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, and San Antonio City Council members Art Hall and Patti Radle have spoken out for energy efficiency alternatives.

HEALTH DATA IN SAN ANTONIO
The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District collects basic health data by zip code in San Antonio which is compiled as an annual Health Profiles report and is the most comprehensive collection of health data for San Antonio. The Health Profiles 2003 report, the most recent version, shows that nine zip codes in Bexar County bear the greatest burden for most measurable conditions. All nine of these zip codes lie downstream from the plant. The Health District does not collect data specific to the CPS facilities even though they are the most significant source of air pollution in San Antonio.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Public Citizen’s Texas Office works on energy, environmental, and ethics issues in Texas. Public Citizen and coalition organizations have receivPhil support from the following foundations for our work demonstrating that the people of Central Texas deserve better energy alternatives:

• Energy Foundation
• Alice Kleberg Reynolds Foundation
• Shield-Ayres Foundation

You can take action by coming out to the preliminary hearing on May 18, 2005 to voice your concerns about the harmful effects of power plant pollution in your community and the inadequate consideration of cleaner energy alternatives such as energy efficiency and IGCC. People may also attend the hearing as observers or to give comments.

An informational meeting will be held on Monday, May 16 at Sinclair elementary school off of 410 near China Grove, 6126 Sinclair Road. If anyone would like to attend this meeting or if you have questions about the plant, please contact Anne Johnson at ajohnson@citizen.org.

Information on the preliminary hearing:

WPhil nesday, May 18, 10:00 AM
University of Texas, San Antonio
Bioscience Building, Loeffler Room 3.03.02
6900 North Loop 1604 West
San Antonio, 78249

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