Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has received six reports from members of the community regarding visible emissions from the Hazelwood Power Station this calendar year.
In response to community concerns EPA contacted the station’s owner, GDF Suez, which told EPA:
"Latrobe Valley residents may have observed an increase in frequency of noticeable emissions from Hazelwood power station in recent weeks. GDF SUEZ Hazelwood advises that this relates to a 25 per cent increase in start-ups during the first half of the year due to unscheduled maintenance requirements. Station management is confident that work being undertaken to reduce the incidence of unit breakdowns will return the number of required unit start-ups to normal levels. These activities are covered under the Hazelwood licence.”
There is no limit to the number of start-ups or shut downs allowed under GDF Suez’s EPA licence; however, there is a limited number of hours of excess emissions allowed.
The start-up process involves the ignition of fuel to raise steam in boilers at the Hazelwood Power Station. Initially, fuel is burnt in the boiler to bring it up to operating temperature. This is like starting a fire. The initial firing of a boiler results in smoke from the chimney that will be visible to the community.
Under its EPA licence, GDF Suez is required to annually report to EPA regarding its emissions. This report is due in September and EPA will examine this to ensure the company is maintaining compliance with its EPA licence.
EPA has conducted four formal inspections of the Hazelwood Mine this year to date and meets regularly with GDF Suez to discuss its performance.