Time to sharpen those pencils and write a comment letter, email or attend the hearing and give comments before the Public Service Commission (“PSC”) on the application that would allow the “repowering” of the C.P. Crane Generating Station located between Seneca creek and Saltpeter creek at 1001 Carroll Island Rd, Middle River Maryland 21220
C.P. Crane cannot repower without first obtaining a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (“CPCN”) from the PSC. The PSC must examine the application and review the environmental, ecological, socioeconomic, and land use impacts associated with construction and operation of the project. Additionally, The PSC must consider the project’s effects on air and water pollution and other environmental aspects before determining if the project is in the public good.
The plant has generated electricity from coal since 1961 and has had a host of environmental impacts on water and air quality. In fact, the “repowering” project was initiated after three years of CP Crane’s consistent noncompliance with Clean Air Act permits from 2015-2018.
The Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER®, Blue Water Baltimore, (Home of the Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper) and the Essex-Middle River Civic Council represented by the Environmental Action Center intervened in the PSC proceeding for the application for a CPCN in order to enhance the public notice, participation, and environmental review of the project.
The PSC is set to approve CP Crane’s CPCN application and Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® and others are concerned that the PSC has not been provided with or reviewed sufficient environmental information during the PSC process and questions whether the PSC should approve the CPCN application in its current form. Gunpowder Riverkeeper asks it members and other concerned citizens that use the waters of Seneca Creek, Saltpeter Creek, Bird River, Gunpowder River and Middle River to share their concerns with the PSC regarding the potential approval the application.
In June 2018, MDE finalized a settlement agreement with CP Crane to resolve alleged air pollution violations at the plant. The alleged violations included failing to conduct stack testing as required and exceeding emissions limits for particulate matter, hydrogen chloride and carbon monoxide. The settlement agreement included a requirement that Crane stop operating its two coal-fired units by June 15, 2018, as well as a $105,000 penalty assessment. Now the plant is attempting to use natural gas instead of coal and needs the CPCN approval to commence this operation.
Please attend a Public Hearing for Maryland Public Service Commission Case No. 9482 Modification of the C.P. Crane Generating Station at:
7PM Monday April 1, 2019
The Bowleys Quarters Improvement Association
1124 Bowleys Quarters Road
Baltimore, MD 21221
If you live near, swim in, crab, fish and/or boat in these waters and will not be testifying at the hearing, please write or email to the PSC by April 4th at the following address:
Terry J. Romine, Executive Secretary,
Maryland Public Service Commission,
RE: “Case No. 9482.”
6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Written comments may be e-filed using the Commission’s Electronic Dropbox, accessible from the Commission’s website under ‘TOOLS,’ Re: Case No.9482.
To view documents generated during the proceeding visit the Maryland PSC Website and search Case No. 9482 https://www.psc.state.md.us/
When submitting comments please tell the Public Service Commission:
Your name, physical address, phone and email. State how long you have lived in the area and how long you have enjoyed these waters. State that you are concerned that the application before the PSC as written will harm you, your property, recreational and aesthetic interests, and the environment for any/all of the following reasons:
Ask the PSC to consider whether it has been provided with and sufficiently reviewed relevant environmental information to approve the CPCN application
State that the application does not provide enough factual information to allow concerned citizens and organizations to provide meaningful and robust participation in the public notice and comment process.
State that the application lacks basic information regarding other applications, approvals and permits that would ensure that the CPCN adequately protects public health of the local community and the existing and designated uses of Saltpeter creek, Seneca creek the Bird River, Gunpowder River and Middle River for uses like boating, fishing, crabbing and swimming.
To date the plant has never had coverage under an MDE Industrial stormwater discharge permit. Additionally, because MDE has identified C.P. Crane as a point and nonpoint discharger of Polychlorinated BiPhenyls (“PCBs”), a known carcinogen, ask the PSC to have MDE require real-time monitoring of PCBs.
Ask that the PSC require additional information from C.P. Crane on legacy pollution on site and in adjacent waterways and that this information must be available to the public for comment so we can be assured that it is fully protective of the environment and public health.
Express concern that the PSC and it supporting agencies were not provided/did not review at least the following nine (9) related permits, licenses, or approvals:
- State Discharge General Permit for Stormwater Associated with Construction Activity
• State Discharge General Permit for Stormwater Associated with Industrial Activity
- State Spill Prevention Control and CountermeasurePlan
- Baltimore County Building Permit
- Baltimore County Grading Permit
- Baltimore County Stormwater Management Permit
- Baltimore County sediment and erosion control plan for construction activity
- Baltimore County Chesapeake Bay Critical Area plan
- NPDES Individual Permit for wastewater discharges
Please join the Intervenors in ensuring the facility is properly permitted to prevent pollution by sharing your concerns at the hearing April 1 or by sending in written comments by April 4, 2019.
Thank you for your support in protecting the health of the Gunpowder River and its surrounding communities!
Please consider donation to support our work.
GRK is a 501(c)(3) non-profit categorized by the IRS under Natural Resource Conservation and Protection. Your charitable contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. A copy of the current financial statement of GRK is available by writing P.O. BOX 156 Monkton, MD 21111 or calling 410-967-3526. Documents submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from: The MD Sec. of State, State House, Annapolis MD 21401 (410) 974-5534