Hydro picks cleaner fuel for Holyrood station

Yay for steps in the right direction!

Hydro picks cleaner fuel for Holyrood station
Last updated Jan 24 2006 01:31 PM NST
CBC News

A decision to burn cleaner fuel at the Holyrood generating station is being welcomed by people living near the plant.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro said last week it will start burning cleaner oil at the station by the summer.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro will start burning a cleaner fuel at its Holyrood generating plant this summer.

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro will start burning a cleaner fuel at its Holyrood generating plant this summer.
Hydro says the cleaner fuel will cut sulphur dioxide emissions by about 50 per cent, and will reduce particulate emissions – which include materials such as ash – by 40 per cent.

The cleaner fuel also has half the sulphur content of what is currently being used.

"This is a big step," said Hydro spokeswoman Dawn Dalley.

"We're also cautioning that the impacts in the community will still be [there]," she said.

"[Area residents will] still see a visible plume from the smoke stacks, so it doesn't solve all the problems. But, it is a fabulous step."

People who live downwind of the station, in nearby Seal Cove, have complained for years about emissions from the plant.

"It's great if it's a step in the right direction," said resident Annette Stone, whose home is only a few hundred metres from the station's three large smoke stacks.

Stone says she often wonders if the plant has caused some of the health problems experience by her family and her neighbours.

"But if they are going to start improvements, hopefully the fuel will be the first one, and it will take care of some of my concerns."

Hydro says it will start burning the cleaner fuel after all the old fuel in its storage tanks is used.

Don't be fooled though; this is just one step and more is needed.

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