8/8/2023 Correction: There was an error below.
- The reduction of CO2 emissions when switching to a combined cycle plant from a single cycle plant is about 45% – 50%, not 99%.
- The CO (Carbon Monoxide) emissions are reduced by 99%.
- The NOx emissions are reduced by 92%, the Sulfur Dioxide emissions are reduced by at least 67%, and the particulate matter (PM 10) is reduced by 73%.
- Keep in mind that NOx has a GHG Equivalent 100 times that of CO2.
That is what could be operating instead of what they are forcing upon people while complaining that people have Asthma and saying that they are seeking Climate Justice.
R. Ellenbogen
The following, in bold italics, regarding the Barrett Island Power Plant was sent to me by a reader of my email chain along with the photo and it emphasizes what I have been saying. This person used to work as an engineer for a NY Utility and is extremely familiar with Power Generation and Transmission. I have attached a pdf of an analysis of Long Island Power Plants that was done by the US EPA. A chart from the pdf appears below the photo of the Chimney and clearly shows the difference between the Barrett Island Plant (on the left side of the chart) which is a single cycle power plant and a newer Combined cycle power plant such as the Caithness plant (on the right side of the chart), also on Long Island but 40 years newer. The CO2 emissions of the new plant are 99% lower. Recently, a retooling of the Barrett Island plant to convert it to a combined cycle plant was denied because of NY State policy and the dream that it would be replaced by renewables. The following is a link from 2017 about that failed effort.
In the interim, the existing plant is operating and will likely have to operate many years into the future, especially with all of the difficulties being faced by Offshore wind projects that are supposed to replace it. If the state starts to increase system load with heat pumps, Barret Island will never close, even if they manage to build the offshore wind, and the heat pumps will be powered by the energy from that plant with its high carbon emissions. The following is a link to the Equinor project he mentions will replace Barrett Island and the delays it is facing.
As I have said for several years, NY State policy is increasing GHG emissions and is not promoting climate justice. This same issue is being replicated in poorer neighborhoods throughout NY State as has been emphasized by the NYISO’s recent announcement that they can’t shutter the peaker plants in 2025, as had been originally planned.
The quest for the perfect in lieu of the very good is going to be a disaster for NY State.
This is the Barrett Island Power Plant near me in Island Park. It has been spewing this black smoke pretty much 24/7 for about a month. It’s one of the plants the state refuses to consider repowering and it will eventually (?) Be replaced by the Equinor Wind Turbines. In the meantime I guess we all get to breath these emissions (note this is not water vapor…I spent 7 formative years in power plants) this is proof of what you are saying and how reality trumps policy every time.
