Environmentalists' Report Says PA Power Plants Too Dirty

September 13, 2013

Environmentalists are pointing to a report based on federal data that shows Pennsylvania’s largest source of carbon emissions comes from power plants.

PennEnvironment’s report shows that, nationwide, the commonwealth has the third highest amount of power plant-borne pollution. It comes in anticipation of federally proposed emissions regulations on new plants this year and existing plants next year.

Dr. Bob Little, with Pinnacle Family Health Care, says the public health effects of such emissions, linked to global warming, are expected to intensify, so more heat strokes and asthma, as well as sneezes and sniffles.

“Ragweed grows faster and makes more pollen in warm weather. So those of you with allergies–it’s not going to get any better in the future,” says Dr. Little.

The report calls out seven Pennsylvania power plants as among the country’s top 100 “most polluting” based on carbon emissions, including the  PPL Brunner Island Plant in York County. A spokesman says the utility has spent more than $860 million on upgrades to limit pollution, but notes the technology doesn’t exist yet to limit carbon emissions without cutting electricity output.