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OCT-01-2013 09:37 FROM:PARADISE BUSINESSCTR 18089652122 TO:9618912 P.4'24
<br /> discrepancies and omissions from the realities of geothermal's track record - which is not without its
<br /> environmental and human health harms.
<br /> Among early indications of'inherent problems, abrasive particles and corrosive impurities
<br /> impaired pipes and turbines, causing failure of the first US geothermal production attempt at Geysers,
<br /> California in 1922. Geothermal fluids and steams are far from "pure"or"safe." Water,percolating and
<br /> pooling beneath earth's surface, contacts hot rocks heated by magma deep in the earth. Minerals, metals,
<br /> and gases from deposits below surface mix with heating waters, brewing a geothermal brine containing
<br /> toxic gases, impurities,and heavy metals similar to those found in rock tailings from mining.
<br /> Geothermal's highly toxic contaminants include hydrogen sulfide,arsenic,boron, benzene. various forms
<br /> of ammonia, radon-222, vanadium, and mercury,among others.
<br /> During"normal"production operations, toxic fluids are contained in pipes, reinjected into deep
<br /> earth reservoirs, and not released as atmospheric,soil,or water polluting emissio'ns. However, during
<br /> initial geothermal exploration,plant construction,expansions,periodic routine maintenance and repairs,
<br /> as well as"non-normal"incidents and accidents—toxic emissions regularly occur unabated for extended
<br /> periods. During drilling and testing toxic muds,oils,and geothermal bines are collected as sludge in
<br /> sumps on site, Containing numerous toxins and heavy metals, sludges pose a danger to workers,
<br /> underground aquifers,area streams and lakes, as well as area vegetation, wildlife, and aquatic species.
<br /> Well blowouts are another source of unabated emissions. Efforts to stop emissions from blowouts have
<br /> proven unsuccessful, and have resulted in continuous venting of hydrogen surd and other dangerous
<br /> gases, pollutants,and particulates. While hydrogen sulfide changes in approxim•tely 12 to 18 hours
<br /> through oxidation to sulfur dioxide,both forms are hazardous to plant and anim life. Regulations for
<br /> permissible levels of these sulfides,and other toxins, allow emission levels Many times higher than
<br /> harmful, Workers at geothennal plants in California have reported serious health harms from exposure to
<br /> geothermal toxins, including heart attacks, respiratory ailments,liver and other internal organ damage,
<br /> and a range of lesser impacts including nausea,rashes,nose bleeds,dizziness,bronchitis and other
<br /> problems, some of which have also been reported by area residents,
<br /> A five year study by Livermore National Laboratory on geothermal production impacts in the
<br /> Salton Sea area concluded:"the Salton Sea will turn even saltier,the air will be polluted with noxious
<br /> gases, the valley will sink due to hot brines drawn up from underground,and inadvertently spilling of salt
<br /> fluids onto surrounding farmlands." A publication by the Northwest Power Planning Council titled "New
<br /> Resources Supply Curves and Environmental Effects"(Feb, 1989) states: "Impacts of production affect
<br /> air and groundwater, Hydrogen sulfide,a toxic substance with the odor of rotten eggs is produced,
<br /> although it can apparently be controlled. Mercury, boron, and radon gases appe in trace amounts and
<br /> ammonia,methane,carbon dioxide, and argon result from the air injector systen and the cooling system.
<br /> Recently reports from California say that whole crops have been destroyed by p riodic emissions from
<br /> geothermal plants. The airborne emissions have fallen on crops destroying the clops and contaminating
<br /> the ground."In another study, the California Energy Commission concluded that acid rain and boron salts
<br /> from geothermal production spread over considerable distances,resulting in vegetation losses to native
<br /> trees.
<br /> Scientists with the US Geological Survey concluded geothermal product"on induces seismic
<br /> activity.The tapping of geothermal reservoirs depletes subsurface pressure buildup, while reinjection of
<br /> spent fluids is done at different surface levels and locations, altering pressure p• erns,which is thought to
<br /> he the cause of plate shifts. Plants at both Mammoth Lakes and Geysers Califor ia;have experienced
<br /> minor quakes ranging up to 3.5 or 4 on the Richter scale, with the Mammoth La es having"swarms of
<br /> quakes."Notable land subsidence has also been recorded in areas above geothe . al production reservoirs.
<br /> Pipe systems, spill containment basins, and sludge sumps are at risk of rupture d e'to frequent quake
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