Gulf Power Company spans into eight counties throughout the northwest region of the state. The company began its first unit in Pensacola, Fla. with the opening of Plant Crist in 1945. Today, the plant provides electricity to 174,177 residents in Escambia County and employs 1,365.
From 2006 to 2010, fluctuating amounts in overall chemical releases per year have been recorded in its current Toxic Release Inventory report from the EPA. 2010 was recorded with the least amount of emissions.
Although the progress is evident through its current Toxic Release Inventory report, Plant Crist is certainly not free from overall production of hazardous waste. A total of 1,891,373 pounds of chemicals were released into the local environment from the facility in 2010.
Within the past ten years, hydrochloric acid has been one of the main chemicals manufactured by Plant Crist because of its production of electricity. Hydrochloric acid has also contributed to the majority of chemical emissions released by the facility.
In 2010, the plant released a total of 710,000 pounds of hydrochloric acid, which is a huge drop from 2009's total of 9.2 million pounds.
Jeff Rogers, the corporate communication supervisor for Gulf Power, said the company has invested "close to $1 billion to reduce emissions at Plant Crist."
Plant Crist began the operation of a scrubber system in December 15, 2009 to alleviate the the facility's release of emissions into the environment, which cost the company $645 million.
Here's a video from Gulf Power introducing the new technology:
According to the company website, the scrubber removes 95 percent sulfur dioxide emissions, 70 percent particulate emissions, 80 percent oxidized mercury and 95 percent chlorides.
Gulf Power is set to install a new Selective Catalytic Reduction system at Plant Crist in April to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
Lead releases by Plant Crist have increased from 58,194 pounds in 2009 to 78, 693 pounds in 2010. The chemical is recognized as a carcinogen and is toxic to the development and reproductive system of the human body. The report states that the emissions from the plant are released into landfills not authorized to accept waste by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. 8,278 pounds are recorded as being released into unknown off-site locations.
"Waste materials that are not permitted for on-site storage are shipped to off-site and federally-regulated facilities," Rogers said.
Arsenic compounds released by the facility have also increased from 2009, emmitting an excess of 4,438 pounds. The plant manufactures and processes this chemical within its facility and also releases the waste into landfills.
Hydrochloric acid, lead, and arsenic are listed in the top 10 percent in the nation of the most hazardous compounds to human health, according to www.scorecard.org. In addition to those three compounds, the Toxic Release Inventory report shows that Plant Crist is accountable for emmitting ammonia, barium, manganese, sulfuric acid and others that are suspected to be toxic to health and the environment.
The plant is located at 11999 Pate Street. For more information about Plant Crist, visit www.gulfpower.com/about/plant_crist.asp.
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