Resolution 149-2007
Commissioner George Neugent
RESOLUTION NO. 149-2007
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY OBJECTING TO
THE CONSTRUCTION OF COAL-FIRED POWER PLANTS
IN THE EVERGLADES BASIN.
WHEID;AS, Monroe County is a culturally rich community and an outdoor paradise; and
WHEJu;AS, Monroe County covers most of the area known as the Everglades National
Park; and
WHEUEAS, the remainder of Monroe County, the Florida Keys, abuts and is dependent
upon the waters of Florida Bay, into which the Everglades Ecosystem provides run-off; and
WHEUEAS, the Glades Power Park (GPP) is a coal-fired power plant proposed by Florida
Power and Light for a location in Moore Haven, Glades County, Florida; and
WHEltEAS, the proposed placement of the GPP borders Fisheating Creek Wildlife
Management Area, Lake Okeechobee, Nicodemus Slough and the headwaters of the
Caloosaltatchee River, all of which are vital components of the Everglades Ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, the operation of the proposed GPP will require 26 million gallons of water per
day in and near Water Supply Planning areas currently under drought restrictions; and
WHEREAS, the operation of the proposed GPP will generate oxides of nitrogen, sulfur
dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter and sulfuric acid mist, all
at least five times the threshold for significant deterioration review; and
WHEREAS, the proposed plant will emit two hundred pounds of mercury per year which
will be deposited on marshlands well equipped biochemically to convert it to methyl mercury; and
WHEREAS, published scientific research has demonstrated that mercury fallout occurs
primarily in a 100 km radius of coal-fired electric generating stations; and
WHEREAS, this 100 km radius includes habitat where endangered and other fish and
wildlife species already carry a high body burden of mercury; and
WHEREAS, methyl mercury is a highly toxic chemical that can be absorbed in the
bloodstream, that has been proven to harm wildlife, and that US EP A estimates is present at
potentially harmful levels in the blood of one out of six pregnant women; and
WHERJ~AS, the waters of Florida Bay beyond the 100 km radius will be negatively
impacted and the destructive run-off created by "Big Sugar" will be exacerbated by the influx of
mercury into the already fragile environment; and
Coal-fired power plllnts in Everglades
WHI:REAS, the emission of carbon dioxide will contribute to the accumulation of
greenhouse gases, which contribute to global climate change, and according to international
scientific consensus, must be significantly reduced by 2050; and
WHEREAS, the extraction and transportation of coal contributes severe societal and
environmental harm, including mountaintop removal, to other regions, nations and continents.
NOW" THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA:
Sectioll 1: That Monroe County has serious objections to the establishment of coal-fired
power plants in the historic Everglades drainage basin and urges that they not be permitted..
Section 2: Monroe County encourages the State of Florida to focus on conservation,
energy efficitmcy, and renewable energy sources rather than construct more infrastructure
dependent upon non-renewable sources, which are harmful to people and wildlife.
Section 3: Monroe County is particularly opposed to the proposed Glades Power Park
project since it increases Greenhouse Gas emissions in the Everglades, with its corresponding
pollution and effects on global climate, while irreversibly setting our energy policies in a direction
away from conservation, energy efficiency and renewable resource use.
Sectio~L$ The Clerk is directed to send certified copies of this Resolution to Florida
Senator Larcellia 1. Bullard and Florida Representatives Ron Saunders, Stan Mayfield, Baxter
Troutman, and! Trudi Williams, and also to send copies to Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary of the
Interior, U.S. Department of the Interior, Matthew 1. Hogan, Acting Assistant Secretary of Fish,
Wildlife & Parks, Fran P. Mainella, Director, National Park Service, all located at 1849 C Street,
NW, Washington, DC 20240,Pat Hooks, Regional Director, National Park Service Southeast
Region, 100 Alabama St. SW, 1924 Building, Atlanta, Ga. 30303, Fred Gaske, State
HistoricPreservation Officer, 505 S. Bronough St., Tallahassee FL. 32399-0250.
Section 5:
This Resolution shall become effective on the date written below.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a meeting of said Board held on the 18thday of April. A.D., 2007.
Mayor Mario DiGennaro
Mayor Pro Tern Dixie M. Spehar
<?6oiJ};:?;~>c Commissioner Charles "Sonny" McCoy
A{1:U~"".(~omm!ss!oner Sylvia Murphy
I/l.1 v:( . 'l-'> JAf:>.....\: :, (ommlss1oner George Neugent
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Deputy Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: ~ik~
Mayor/Chairman
MONROE COUNTY ATTORNEY
ROVED 0 RM:
Coal-frred power plants in Everglades
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