After a friend at the Sierra Club noticed a very dark plume of smoke coming from Merrimack Station in October, we found out that Merrimack Station is operating out of compliance with the Clean Air Act. The coal plant failed a regularly scheduled “stack test” in February after they were 70% over the federal limit for particulate matter emissions from their smoke stack - and they haven’t been able to run at capacity to pass a test since then. Thanks to the work of NH Bulletin reporter Hadley Barndollar, we also know that they’ve had numerous other violations to their permits - from exceeding nitrogen oxide limits to excess particulate matter.
Merrimack Station first failed their stack test in February of 2023 and have not completed a test since then. They aborted a test in October due to mechanical failure, then canceled a test in November, apparently because they could not get the plant running at 95% capacity as is required in order to conduct a test. Next, they scheduled a test the week of January 22nd, 2024, but again they took the plant offline before the test and canceled it. One of their boilers was leaking when they aborted the October 2023 stack test. They canceled “due to an unrelated boiler tube leak” as quoted in the NH Bulletin article. It is likely that their equipment is continuing to fail them.
We know this coal plant was running off and on in November and December despite the coal plant’s inability to DO a stack test. During a cold spell from January 18th - January 21st,, the coal plant supplied energy to the grid. Right after running for those days in January, they decided to cancel their stack test yet again. If these cancellations have been because the coal plant cannot pass minimum air quality standards, it is unacceptable for the plant to continue to run. Increased particulate matter and elevated mercury levels are dangerous for the health of the people and environment in close proximity to the coal plant. Mercury is toxic and a major public health concern for people repeatedly exposed to the chemical because of its impact on the nervous system and immune system. Particulate matter can get deep into a person’s lungs and cause all sorts of health problems including heart attacks, asthma, and premature death.
We do not have data from these failed stack tests. We can assume that particulates, mercury, and other emissions from the smokestacks are being released into the air. The NH Department of Environmental Services has issued warnings to Granite Shore Power several times for running out of compliance, but there haven’t been any real consequences, and the plant continues to run.
Merrimack Station lost their main funding mechanism for the future, forward capacity payments coming from New England ratepayers’ electric bills. Now, we know they are operating out of compliance with clean air standards. This plant is operating way past its expiration date. It’s time to shut it down and transition the facility to clean energy instead.
