Public Hearing on CO2 Emissions Set for March 25

White Pine Energy Center Power Plant
Public Hearing on CO2 Emissions Set for March 25

CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP), Bureau of Air Pollution Control, will conduct a public hearing on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, in Ely, Nevada, following an agency determination on CO2 “Greenhouse Gas” Emissions.

The hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Bristlecone Convention Center, Bristlecone Room, 150 Sixth Street, Ely, Nevada.

LS Power intends to move forward with this project. However, in light of an Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) ruling on CO2 emissions, NDEP is inviting the public to comment on the agency’s determination. Public comment has already been closed on our technical review of the White Pine Energy Center and at this time we are limiting public comment solely to the agency’s determination on CO2 as it relates to the Clean Air Act. The Agency position remains the same that there are currently no federal or state clean air standards or regulations that govern carbon dioxide emissions or other greenhouse gas emissions for power plants.

Since NDEP’s original determination there have been a number of actions, including the EAB ruling regarding Deseret Power that reaffirms our position that greenhouse gases are not subject to state or federal air quality standards. However, NDEP is presenting the basis for our determination to the public through this public hearing.

According to Michael Elges, bureau chief for Air Pollution Control, “We understand this is an ever evolving issue. LS Power has elected to move forward with their project, in response to that action NDEP prepared an agency determination pursuant to greenhouse gases. And we are accepting comments solely on our determination.”

Governor Appoints Members to Panel Overseeing Implementation of Fire Commission Report

CARSON CITY, Nev. –- Fulfilling one of the recommendations of the California-Nevada Tahoe Basin Fire Commission, Governor Jim Gibbons today announced the appointment of three Nevadans to oversee implementation of the commission’s work.

Appointed are former Tahoe Regional Planning Agency member Coe Swobe, Nevada State Forester Pete Anderson and Glenbrook Homeowners Association president A.J. “Bud” Hicks, who also served on the fire commission.

“These three individuals have a diverse array of expertise on issues affecting the Tahoe Basin,” Gibbons said. “I know that each is committed to protecting the basin from catastrophic wildfire, supports the recommendations of the fire commission and will be diligent in ensuring the commission’s recommendations are implemented.”

DCNR Budget Update

[Editor's note: This is an email sent in June by Director Allen Biaggi to DCNR employees.]

Good afternoon to everyone in DCNR.

To say these are trying times is an understatement. State revenues continue to be weak, resulting in the need for DCNR’s administration and budget staff to evaluate further cuts for the 2009 fiscal year as well as the next biennium (more below). These reductions have the potential to fundamentally change the way we do business and achieve our agency mandates. I will continue to work with the agency administrators to identify the necessary budget reductions while still providing essential services to our customers and regulated communities.

I would like to thank DCNR’s Deputy Director, Kay Scherer for her hard work and professionalism in understanding the extremely complicated reduction directives and guiding us through this process. It is critical we make our reductions in a logical and strategic way, understanding the implications to our programs, employees and Nevada’s citizens. I want to make this process as transparent as possible and keep the lines of communication open with all DCNR employees.

Allen Biaggi
Director

Mercury regulations producing results: State shuts down ore roasters at mine

CARSON CITY, Nev.–State regulations, enacted in 2006 that require mercury emissions controls to reduce the amount of mercury emitted into the air from precious metal mines, are producing some early positive results, according to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP).

In an update on recent activities, NDEP Administrator Leo Drozdoff today announced that the Mercury Air Emissions Control Program has resulted in recent proactive actions by two mining companies to reduce mercury emissions, as well as an enforcement action against one company.

He applauded two companies for their early installation of new and improved mercury emissions control equipment in accordance with the incentive portion of the regulations.
Goldcorp and Round Mountain Gold Corp. have installed deep-bed sulfur-impregnated carbon filters on mercury emitting units at their Marigold and Smokey Valley mines respectively.

Preliminary test results reported by Goldcorp show a dramatic reduction in annual mercury air emissions from those units at its Marigold Mine, from 893 pounds in 2006 to less than one pound in 2007. Round Mountain will report its results soon. By taking the risk of installing new technology before their Nevada Maximum Achievable Control Technology (NvMACT) requirements have been determined, the companies will each earn an Early Reduction Credit (ERC). An ERC gives a company two extra years to modify or replace its mercury emissions control equipment, should NDEP determine that the technology they’ve installed does not meet the yet-to-be-established NvMACT requirements.