Daniel Livingston
Marcus Pacheco
Correy Miller
Jacqueline Reed
Jennifer Simpson
Seminar UCCP 1102-491
28 February 2011
Annotated Bibliography
United States Envionmental Protection Agency. "Las Brisas Energy Center, PSD Permit Nos.
PSDTX1138, PAL 41, and HAP 48, Nueces County, Texas." Letter to Mark Vickery.
2011. MS. Http://www1.kztv10.com/files/EPAletterTCEQ.pdf.
The EPA is urging TCEQ to refuse the permit for the Las Brisas energy center on the basis that
the plant will not meet national standards for air pollutant. This is an official letter from the EPA
written to Mark Vickery, Executive Director of the TCEQ. This letter was linked in an article
from a credible news site, KZTV10, the letter also displays the stamp from the EPA and
signature of Lawrence Starfield deputy regional administrator. This letter represents the
environmentalists who are against the building of the Las Brisas energy center.
Las Brisas Energy Center and Las Brisas Terminal Web Page. “ FAQ’s”.
Web. 27 Feb. 2011
In the FAQ page there are many questions and concerns about the project. The page states facts
about the center and lists factual benefits the center would bring to corpus and surrounding area,
such as cost, projected revenues and how long the plant would be functioning. The page also
describes the chemicals that would be expelled and tells what they are known for and what
hazards they pose.
Daniel Livingston
Marcus Pacheco
Correy Miller
Jacqueline Reed
Jennifer Simpson
Seminar UCCP 1102-491
28 February 2011
http://scorecard.goodguide.com/env-releases/cap/pollutant-desc.tcl
This source describes how various chemicals, such as Sulfur Dioxide, Nitrogen Dioxide,
and Particulates that are typically released by plants like Las Brisas, effect the environment
including the people living nearby. It states that Sulfur Dioxide effects respiration and the
children and elderly are especially prone to its damages. It also is the major contributor to acid
rain which causes acidification in lakes, corrosion of monuments and statues, and damage trees
or crops. Nitrogen Dioxide is described to cause respiratory problems as well, mainly lowering
the tolerance to respiratory infections like bronchitis. Particulate matter, which is further defined
in the source, is shown to cause damage to lung tissue, cancer, and premature death in some
cases. Our source was an information database, Green Media Toolshed, and it expressed the
point of view of the scientists who research the damages these chemicals have.
Malan, Denise. "Pros, Cons of Gasification Weighed Locally and around the Country »
Corpus Christi Caller-Times." Corpus Christi Caller-Times: Local Corpus Christi, Texas News
Delivered Throughout the Day. Web. 01 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.caller.com/news/2009/mar/14/las-brisas-energy-center-proposal-pros-cons-of/#>.
Daniel Livingston
Marcus Pacheco
Correy Miller
Jacqueline Reed
Jennifer Simpson
Seminar UCCP 1102-491
28 February 2011
This article explained how the gasification process works, the benefits of having it. It also
mentions the opponents that are accusing Las Brisas of not considering gasification, while Las
Brisas says there is no profit in gasification. They would only do it for the money.as well as
arguments of gasification being too expensive. It mentions that the company wanting to build it
needs government subsidies to ‘get off the drawing board’. The article also talks about
gasification plants around Texas and the country.
Bonillia, Ruben. Corpus Christi Caller Times.
2008. Web 8 March 2011.
This source is the testament by Ruben Bonillia, the Chairman of Corpus Christi Port
Commission. In the letter Bonillia advocates the Las Brisas Project and encourages the public to
ignore the special interest groups that are adamant about the project causing harm to the
environment. He also goes on to say that the Port Commission has very rigid standards for water
and air emissions, which they will still enforce on Las Brisas.
HOLLY, CHRIS. "Texas Agency Grants Power Plant Permit Over EPA Objections." The Energy
Network. 31 Jan. 2011. Web. 07 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.theenergydaily.com/power/Texas-Agency-Grants-Power-Plant-PermitOver-EPA-Objections_5614.html>.
Daniel Livingston
Marcus Pacheco
Correy Miller
Jacqueline Reed
Jennifer Simpson
Seminar UCCP 1102-491
28 February 2011
This source states that the TCEQ has granted a permit for the Las Brisas energy center despite
discouragement from the EPA. This is an online article posted on the news website The Energy
Network. The article Does not take a side on the Las Brisas conflict and just states what the
TCEQ has done to advance the Las Brisas project.
Malan, Denise. "Tax Revenues from Las Brisas Touted." Small Business Advice and Resources
from AllBusiness.com. 11 May 2010. Web. 09 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.allbusiness.com/government/government-bodies-officesregional/14600347-1.html>.
This article discusses the hefty tax revenue the Las Brisas energy plant would give to the city of
Corpus Christi. The article was posted online at All Business. The article states the benefits of
the proposed plant and gives support to the project.
Malan, Denise. "Pros, Cons of Gasification Weighed Locally and around the Country »
Corpus Christi Caller-Times." Corpus Christi Caller-Times: Local Corpus Christi, Texas News
Delivered Throughout the Day. Web. 01 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.caller.com/news/2009/mar/14/las-brisas-energy-center-proposal-pros-cons-of/#>.
This article explained how the gasification process works, the benefits of having it. It also
mentions the opponents that are accusing Las Brisas of not considering gasification, while Las
Daniel Livingston
Marcus Pacheco
Correy Miller
Jacqueline Reed
Jennifer Simpson
Seminar UCCP 1102-491
28 February 2011
Brisas says there is no profit in gasification. They would only do it for the money.as well as
arguments of gasification being too expensive. It mentions that the company wanting to build it
needs government subsidies to ‘get off the drawing board’. The article also talks about
gasification plants around Texas and the country.
"Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle - Siemens." Siemens Energy Sector. Web. 24 Mar.
2011. <http://www.energy.siemens.com/br/en/power-generation/powerplants/integrated-gasification-combined-cycle/integrated-gasification-combinedcycle.htm#content=Description>.
This article explains the Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle that the Las Brisas energy plant
will be using. This is a text off the Siemens Energy Sector website.
The American Petroleum Institute, and Petroleum HPV Testing Group. "Petroleum Coke
Category Analysis and Hazard Characterization." ENvironmental Protection Agency. 28
Dec.
2007. Web. 24 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.epa.gov/hpv/pubs/summaries/ptrlcoke/c12563rr2.pdf>.
This source explains what petroleum coke is, its chemical composition, and its effects of the
environment and people. This is a PDF file off the EPA’s website; it was submitted by the
Daniel Livingston
Marcus Pacheco
Correy Miller
Jacqueline Reed
Jennifer Simpson
Seminar UCCP 1102-491
28 February 2011
American Petroleum Institute and Petroleum HPV Testing Group. Petroleum coke will be the
fuel source for the Las Brisas energy plant.
Justine Thompson, “Public Health and Global Warming Concerns Prevail over Profits,” Green
Law. Web March 25, 2011
Public Health and Global Warming Concerns Prevail over Profits
A coal firing power plant in Georgia, called Longleaf, was shut down after being in
service for 20 years, due to violation of the clean air act. They reconsidered the amount of
pollution being released and decided that it was costing more than it provided. “Georgia has
experienced as many as 946 deaths in a single year attributable to pollution from its 10 existing
coal-fired plants.” The plant produced 9 million tons of carbon dioxide pollution annually, and
4,700 tons of sulfur dioxide. The plant was also allowed to consume 20 million gallons of water
per day from the nearby river, and only 5 million of those gallons are ever returned. This action
has caused a chain reaction across the nation.
“Coal Fired Power Plant,” Tennesee Valley authority.
Web. March 25, 2011
This source, provided by the Tennessee Valley authority website, explains step by step the
process coal firing power plants have to turn coal into energy. they basically burn the coal in a
furnace, the steam produced turns a turbine, which the generator transfers as energy. it requires a
Daniel Livingston
Marcus Pacheco
Correy Miller
Jacqueline Reed
Jennifer Simpson
Seminar UCCP 1102-491
28 February 2011
massive amount of water for cooling processes and to produce steam. It also explains that a
typical coal fired power plant can generate about” 10 billion kilowatt-hours a year, or enough
electricity to supply 700,000 homes” in order for this to be possible they have to burn 14,000
tons of coal a day.
Garcia, Stephanie. "As Las Brisas Moves Forward Opposition Remains Vocal." The Foghorn.
Web. 28 Mar. 2011. <http://www.thedmcfoghorn.com/news/as-las-brisas-moves-forwardopposition-remains-vocal-1.347091>.
With the $3 billion Las Brisas Energy Center has made a big controversial impact throughout
Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas. Environmental interest groups of local citizens have
band together in an attempt to keep Las Brisas from approval. The chair of the CEC (Clean
Economy Coalition) Dr. Gerald Sansing sees the levels-debate in a different perspective; Dr.
Sansing said “As far as health implications with asthma and respiratory problems, it’s going to
be a mess,”
Las Brisas on the other hand says “emissions will be significantly lower than average
emissions from plants currently operating and will not affect the air attainment status of the
region.” To that Las Brisas has to have a Preliminary Air Permit from the Texas commission on
Environmental Quality in order to make sure of its levels of emissions are below that of state
levels and to allow plant construction. Dr. Sansing says that even with the permits there are still
major health factors as well as major environmental factors. “They say its ONLY 230lbs of lead
a year and 230lbs of mercury, but that is a lot. Lead does not go away and neither does mercury,”
Daniel Livingston
Marcus Pacheco
Correy Miller
Jacqueline Reed
Jennifer Simpson
Seminar UCCP 1102-491
28 February 2011
He said “In 10 years you have a ton and you would not be able to eat fish or shrimp. It will kill
the commercial business,”.
Kztv, Shooting Arrests. "EPA Recommends TCEQ Not Approve Las Brisas Permit | Corpus
Christi, TX | KZTV10.com." KZTV10.com. Web. 28 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.kztv10.com/news/epa-recommends-tceq-not-approve-las-brisas-permit/>.
The US EPA sent a letter to the TCEQ that was encouraging them to not approve an air permit
for the Las Brisas Energy Center. The letter says the EPA continues to have “strong concerns
about the public health and environmental impact of this project” The letter (link below) goes as
far as asking for denial from the TCEQ for the air permit. The letter also encouraged the
commissioners to not issue the permit till the 2 agencies can solve the dilemmas with the permit.
http://www1.kztv10.com/files/EPAletterTCEQ.pdf
Kztv, Shooting Arrests. "EPA Recommends TCEQ Not Approve Las Brisas Permit | Corpus
Christi, TX | KZTV10.com." KZTV10.com. Web. 28 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.kztv10.com/news/epa-recommends-tceq-not-approve-las-brisas-permit/>.