ALEXANDRIA – Today Delegate David Englin (D-45) issued the following statement in response to yesterday’s announcement that the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will defer a decision on the Mirant Plant’s requests to merge its smokestacks without obtainin g a new permit:
“I am grateful to everyone in our community — from activists to City officials to my fellow legislators — who worked so diligently together to persuade Governor Kaine’s office to get involved and to help us broker this delay. I’m disappointed that DEQ would even consider reversing its original position based solely on the strength of one letter from one consultant hired by the power plant. I was especially shocked that DEQ initially tried to rush through the decision for the convenience of the plant without giving our community an opportunity to examine and respond to key technical assertions. As the state government agency tasked with protecting the quality of the air we breathe, they have a duty to ask the tough questions and not just to take the analysis of a hired gun at face value. I hope DEQ will use this new opportunity to work with the community and with the state’s Air Pollution Control Board so that any permitting decision is based on the best possible science and not merely on what is economically convenient for the plant.”
Last week, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality informed the City of Alexandria of its intent to announce Friday its decision to reverse course and approve the merger of smokestacks at the Mirant Plant, a move that ultimately would increase air pollution throughout Alexandria and the surrounding area. After a series of calls with Englin, his legislative colleagues, and City officials and activists, Governor Kaine’s office agreed to delay action until yesterday, giving City officials a chance to make their case. Based on that meeting, DEQ agreed to postpone the permitting decision to a later but undetermined date.
