AES Barbers Point Plant

Fuel sources

While in operation, the AES Barbers Point Power Plant burned approximately 650,000 tons of subbituminous coal each year. The coal was imported from Indonesia via a marine terminal at the Barbers Point Harbor. From there, coal was taken to the plant by a 1.6 mi long conveyor system.

In addition to coal, the plant used alternate fuel sources, such as old tires and used motor oil, to help power the plant. The plant also burned carbon from Board of Water Supply filters.

The ash waste product created by AES was used in concrete mixes.

Environmental impact

AES introduced limestone early into the coal-combustion process, filtering out harmful sulfur dioxide early. Most coal plants use industrial scrubbers to remove harmful pollutants late in the combustion process,

According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data, the AES plant was the leading source of toxic pollutants in the State of Hawaii, producing 662599.80 lbs in toxic releases in 2013. This represented a pollutant increase for the plant of more than 100% from 2012.

Exemption from fossil fuel tax

In 2015 the Hawaii State Legislature passed, and Governor David Ige signed a bill that applied the state's tax on petroleum products to all other fossil fuels. The tax specifically exempted coal-powered utilities that operated under power purchase agreements that were in effect before June 30, 2015. The exemption had the effect of exempting the AES Barbers Point Power Plant from the fossil fuel tax. Environmental groups criticized this move, questioning why coal-fired power plants should be exempted when all other types of fossil fuels, including petroleum, propane, and liquified natural gas, would be subject to the expanded tax.

References

References

1. (February 27, 2015). "Toxic pollutants up 12%". [[Honolulu Star-Advertiser]].
2. (2006). "Existing Electric Generating Units in the United States, 2006". [[Energy Information Administration]], U.S. Department of Energy.
3. (2008). "Existing Electric Generating Units in the United States, 2008". [[Energy Information Administration]], U.S. Department of Energy.
4. (September 1, 2022). "Hawaii quits coal in bid to fight climate change". Associated Press.
5. "Hawaii receives its final shipment of coal amid push to move to renewable sources". Hawaii News Now.
6. Clynton Namuo. (June 18, 2004). "Oahu coal plant generates energy without black smoke". Pacific Business News.
7. In negotiations between [[Hawaiian Electric Company]] and AES in 2014, it was asked that the plant be converted to run partly on [[biomass]].[http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2014/12/22/heco-asking-regulators-for-more-time-to-negotiate.html?page=all HECO asking regulators for more time to negotiate agreement with Hawaii's only coal plant], Duane Shimogawa, Pacific Business News, December 22, 2014
8. (2003). "ALSTOM Flue Gas Desulfurization Technologies". ALSTOM.
9. Dayton, Kevin. (July 4, 2015). "Governor OKs tax break for coal". Honolulu Star-Advertiser.