If you can attend a public comment hearing on May 7, 2018 in Colorado Springs, help us speak out for a speedy retirement of the Martin Drake coal-fired power plant >>
The Martin Drake coal-fired power plant, located right in downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado, is a blight on the City and a danger to public health. Fortunately, we have a chance to weigh in and help put this dirty power plant on the road to a speedy retirement.
Every year, this 50-year old, 207-megawatt power plant releases thousands of tons of toxic air pollution, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide.
Worse, the plant spews out pollution known to be exceptionally toxic to people, including mercury, dioxins, lead, sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and hydrochloric acid.
And all this pollution is released right in the heart of Colorado Springs, within spitting distance of homes, businesses, schools, parks, and more.
Air Pollution Permit Up for Review
Right now, people have a chance to weigh in on Martin Drake’s air pollution operating permit. Under the Clean Air Act, a large source of air pollution like Martin Drake can’t even operate unless it demonstrates continuous compliance with state and federal clean air laws.
Here, Martin Drake can’t possibly operate in compliance. Not only is it clear that its emissions are contributing to violations of federal health limits, but the facility seems perpetually incapable of complying at all times. Not only has WildEarth Guardians uncovered a pattern of inadequate monitoring, but State air regulators also continue to uncover violations.
WildEarth Guardians is calling on people to send a letter today and speak out against the Martin Drake power plant and in support of closing this coal catastrophe for good.
For those who want to dive into more of the details around the Martin Drake permit, here’s the draft permit, technical review document, and the permit application and other underlying materials.
Public Comment Hearing for Martin Drake Air Pollution Permit
More importantly, we’re calling on people who can to attend a public comment hearing in Colorado Springs the evening of May 7, 2018. Here are the details, and you can click here to RSVP:
Public comment hearing on Martin Drake coal-fired power plant
6:15 PM, May 7, 2018
Centennial Hall Auditorium
200 South Cascade Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Coal in the Olympic City?
The irony of a coal-fired power plant in Colorado Springs is especially significant. Colorado Springs is the Olympic City. Sitting at the foot of Pikes Peak and the Colorado Front Range, it’s emblematic of the spirit of the Rocky Mountains.
To have a coal-fired power plant in the heart of the City is beyond a travesty. Truly, it’s time for the Olympic City to go for the gold, not settle for coal. That gold is clean energy and clean air, not dirty fossil fuels.
Hope you can join us on May 7th. And if you can’t, at least send a letter in and make your voice heard!
