ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
    October 17, 1972
    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    )
    v.
    )
    PCB 72-199
    SOUTHERN ILLINOIS POWER COOPERATIVE
    )
    SOUTHERN ILLINOIS POWER COOPERATIVE
    )
    )
    )
    v.
    )
    PCB 72-238
    )
    )
    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    )
    )
    INTERIM OPINION & ORDER OF THE BOARD (by Mr. Dumelle)
    This is a consolidated action. The first case (PCB 72-199) was an
    enforcement action filed by the Agency on May 10, 1972, alleging that
    Southern Illinois Power Cooperative (hereinafter (!ISIPC?t), in the operation
    of its electric power generating station near Marion, Illinois, caused the
    discharge of sulfur dioxide, flyash and other contaminants into the atmosphere
    so as to cause air pollution, in violation of Section 9(a) of the Environmental
    Protection Act (uAct~~)and also in violation of Rule 2-2.53 of the Rules and
    Regulations Governing the Control of Air Pollution CRules~). The second
    case was a Petition for Variance filed by SIPC on June 13, 1972, requesting
    until April,1975 to achieve full compliance with the Act and Rules.
    A hearing was held on August 7, 1972 at which time the parties presented
    a Stipulation of Facts and the Agency filed its Recommendation and some
    evidence was heard.
    SIPC is an Illinois nonprofit corporation engaged in the business of pro-
    ducing and generating electric power at its 100 megawatt coal-burning steam
    turbine power plant in Williamson County. The plant consists of three 33
    megawatt units each fired by double 7-foot radial cyclone burners equipped
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    with mechanical multiple-cyclone dust collectors. Two of these boiler
    units exhaust into one stack and the third unit exhausts into a separate
    stack. Each stack is 210 feet high. The plant serves 27, 000 customers.
    The plant is expected to consume 250, 000 tons of coal and 60, 000 gallons
    of oil during 1972. The blended coal will have an average heating value of
    10, 700 BTU per pound with an average ash content of 14 percent and an average
    sulfur content of 3. 5 percent.
    Stack tests were made in June, 1970 indicating an emission rate of
    0. 44 pounds per million BTU which was allowable under the Regulations
    at that time. According to stack tests run in October, 1971, the average
    emission rate for particulates was 0. 67 pounds per million BTU, which
    rate continues at the present time. Rule 2-2. 53 of the Rules (see also
    Rule 203 of the Air Pollution Control Regulations, effective April 14, 1972)
    sets a limitation of 0. 45 pounds per million BTU.
    SIPC intends to install three electrostatic pr ecipitators having an
    efficiency of 96 removal for particulates so that the average emission
    rate will be reduced to
    .
    04 pounds per million BTU. The cost is estimated
    at $2, 000, 000. SIPC has proposed a time schedule as follows:
    Start design
    May, 1972
    Start erection of first precipitator
    May, 1973
    Startup of first precipitator
    April, 1974
    Startup of second precipitator
    October, 1974
    Startup of third precipitator
    April, 1975
    The AgencyTs recommendation states that the program submitted by the
    petitioner is adequate to satisfy particulate emission regulations under the
    Pollution Control Board Regulations, Chapter 2, Part II, Rule 203(g) but
    is excessively prolonged by a period of three months. We also question
    the length of time requested. We are unsure from the record as to why
    the startup time for the three precipitators must each be six months apart.
    It would appear that all three precipitators could be installed within oily
    one six-month period.
    In years past the ash storage area has on the occasion of strong southerly
    winds caused objectionable situations with residents in the immediate vicinity.
    The Agency recommends that the petitioner notify the Division of Land
    Pollution and Water Pollution Control within 60 days of the Board order of
    the procedure used to dispose of their fly ash in their ash ponds. We also
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    find the need for the submission of a dust and ash control program. In
    addition, we need more information regarding the availability of alternate
    power, particularly from Central Illinois Public Service or Illinois Power
    since the testimony indicates that there will be a new transmission line in
    use by the end of 1972.
    We will grant only a 90-day variance at this time. During that period
    we expect that the petitioner will submit a verified statement to the Board
    and Agency indicating any reasons why all three precipitators cannot be
    started up within the six months period beginning April, 1974. Furthermore,
    the petitioner should submit its dust and ash control program within those
    90 days. We will decide the question of penalties in our final order.
    This opinion constitutes the Board!s findings of fact and áonclusions
    of law.
    ORDER
    Southern Illinois Power Cooperative is granted a variance for 90 days
    until January 17, 1973, during which time the following shall be submitted
    to the Board and Agency:
    1.
    A verified statement indicating any reasons why all three
    precipitators cannot be started up within the six months period
    beginning April, 1974.
    2.
    A dust and ash control program.
    The Agency shall respond within 21 days from the receipt of said
    additional information. This proceeding shall remain open for further
    orders.
    I, Christan L. Moffett, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control Board,
    hereby certify the above Opinion and Order were adopted on the
    /7
    ~1~dayof
    October, 1972, byavoteof
    ~S~Lcj
    ChristanL. Moffett,
    Illinois Pollution Con~
    ar d

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