UPDATE: Brandon Shores Scrubber Project
Overview
Constellation Energy is installing flue gas desulfurization (FGD) emissions controls (also called "wet scrubbers") on our Brandon Shores power plant in Pasedena, MD. The scrubbers will reduce the plant's sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions by an estimated 95 percent and existing mercury emissions by 90 percent. The new equipment is one component of a clean air program which will ensure Constellation Energy's coal-fired power plants will meet all emissions requirements of Maryland's Healthy Air Act. The Brandon Shores scrubber project is the largest environmental construction project ever undertaken by Constellation Energy and when completed will make the Brandon Shores power plant one of the cleanest coal-burning power plants of its kind in the country.
Construction of the scrubbers is an approximately three-year process. The scrubbers are scheduled to be operational on a staggered timetable, with the first scrubber scheduled to begin working on the plant's Unit 1 in late November 2009, and the second to begin working on the plant's unit two in early March 2010.
Construction update - September 2009:
The addition of scrubbers at Brandon Shores requires Constellation Energy to add a large structure and a new chimney stack at the plant. This project is part of our overall efforts to meet the requirements of Maryland's Healthy Air Act, legislation enacted by the state in 2006 which requires power plants to significantly reduce air emissions beginning in 2010.
Some updated information on construction:
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As of late August 2009 construction on the scrubbers was more than 92 percent completed. We are on track to complete this project and have the new equipment in service on both units at the Brandon Shores plant by early 2010.
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The scrubber project includes construction of a new chimney stack at the plant. The new stack will replace the existing two chimney stacks in terms of operation; however, the existing stacks will remain.
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When the scrubbers begin operating, water vapor will be visible coming from the new stack, unlike the existing chimneys which emit no visible emissions. Water vapor is produced as part of the "scrubber" process.
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Since summer 2008 large cranes have been on the Brandon Shores site performing construction activities. The current phase of construction has involved the placement of structural steel and the installation of large pieces of equipment. Some of this work required large cranes, several of which have already been removed from the plant's grounds. Some cranes will remain on the plant's grounds until the project is completed in the spring of 2010.
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In addition, we have already passed the maximum number of employees who will be working at the Brandon Shores site during the scrubber construction project - approximately 1,200. As of spring 2009 Constellation began gradually reducing the number of workers at the site as phases of the project have been completed.
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Constellation Energy continues to monitor traffic and noise to ensure this project has as little disruption as possible on the community. To help reduce traffic, Constellation opened an entrance at Solley Road for all construction traffic related to the project to help with traffic flow. Also, the Brandon Shores and adjacent H.A. Wagner power plants, are both operating normally throughout this construction, so some traffic is not specifically related to the project.
Please note that the Brandon Shores scrubber project is a major undertaking which requires the installation of significant equipment and construction of a large building to house it, as well as construction of a new chimney stack, which will be much shorter than the existing stacks.
Residents living near the plant may notice some additional traffic due to added workers needed for the project. Constellation Energy is already addressing the increased traffic and impacts of the increased workforce in several ways. These include opening an additional gate off Solley Road, requiring trucks to use specific routes that avoid community roads, and staggering starting times. We do not expect traffic to be an issue and do not expect this project to create any major issues for the community.
For additional information on the project see the project links on the right.
