RECEiVED
CLERKS OFFICE
BEFORE THE POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
oci
OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
STATE OF
102000
IWNOIS
Pollution Control Board
IN THE MATTER OF:
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)
NATURAL GAS-FIRED, PEAK-LOAD
)
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ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATING
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FACILITIES (PEAKER PLANTS)
)
TESTIMONY OF JOHN A. SMITH
My name is John A. Smith and I represent the Illinois Section
-
American Water Works
Association. ISAWWA is a state section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
Membership includes water utilities, operators and professionals throughout the state. I appreciate the
opportunity to speak before the Board on the issue of peaker plants and on the use ofwater resources.
1 Do peaker plants need to be regulated more strictly than Illinois’ current air quality statutes and
regulations provide?
ISAWWA does not feel that peaker plants should be singled out and regulated more strictly than
other power plant types in illinois with regard to air quality statues. Adequate generation of electric
power is important to the future economic growth ofIllinois.
2. Do peaker plants pose a unique threat, or a greater threat than other types of State-regulated
facilities, with respect to air pollution, noise pollution, or groundwater or surface water pollution?
ISAWWA believes that peaker plants pose no greater pollution threat than any other type of
industry and that existing regulations are adequate for protection.
3. Should new or expanding peaker plants be subject to siting requirements beyond applicable local
zoning requirements?
ISAWWA believes that peaker plant siting requirements should encourage the siting of these plants
near a sanitary water treatment plant if practical so as to utilize the discharge from the sanitary
water treatment plant for cooling water.
4. If the Board determines that peaker plants should be more strictly regulated or restricted, should
additional regulations or restrictions apply to currently permitted facilities or only to new facilities
and expansions?
We only wish to comment on the use of water resources by these facilities:
1.
the State of Illinois must manage, protect and enhance the development of the water
resources ofthe State, as a natural and public resource;
2.
water resources have an essential and pervasive role in the social and economic
well-being of the people of Illinois and is of vital importance to the general health,
safety, and economic welfare;
3.
water resources ofthe State must be used for beneficial and legitimate purposes; and
4.
waste and degradation ofwater resources must be prevented.
ISAWWA is not opposed to the use ofwater resources by peaker plants; we are only asking
for the responsible use ofwater resources by these facilities, and all major new water-consumers. We
believe that regulation or permitting of large water resource withdrawals should be the responsibility of
regional agencies, such as municipalities, counties, or water boards, and that a State agency should have
oversight of the regional agencies.
We believe that the basis for the decision on how much water that can be safely used from a
designated water resource be based on the existing knowledge and scientific studies ofthat resource and
if knowledge of the resource is lacking, then additional research into the adequacy of the source be done
before allowing major withdrawals. The decision to allow the development of existing or new water
resources must be based on sound science, not politics. We believe that funding must be adequate for
the State agencyto perform these studies.
In conclusion, Illinois Section AWWA is not opposed to peaker facilities. We are calling for
the rules and regulation of water resources be based on scientific studies of our valuable water
resources, and that an unbiased State agency be charged with oversight of regional water usage.
Adequate funding ofthis State agency to allow for scientific study ofour State water resources must be
provided, and the State must have a plan for the efficientmanagement ofwater resources.
Thank you.
illinois State Water Survey
By:
L/
JohnA.Snuth
DATED: October
5,
2000
#1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza
Decatur, IL 62523-1196
217/424-2834
