MEMORANDUM

TO: Ron Jordan, EPA

FROM: Elizabeth Sabol, ERG 

DATE: 18 September 2009

SUBJECT: Notes from Pre-Visit Call with Consumers Energy and Karn/Weadock 

Power Plants on September 14, 2009

EPA held a teleconference with staff from Consumers Energy and the Karn/Weadock power 

plants on Monday, September 14, 2009 at 2:00 PM to discuss the operations at the power plants

in preparation for the scheduled EPA site visit on Tuesday, September 22, 2009. The following 

people participated in the call:

Consumers Energy

Jenny Crawford

Gary Dawson

Harold (JR) Register

Jessica Woycehoski

Karn/Weadock Power Plants

Roberto Falco

UWAG

Donna Hill

EPA

Ron Jordan

Jezebele Alicea

ERG

Sarah Holman

Elizabeth Sabol

This memorandum summarizes the teleconference discussion points.

Background on EPA Study of the Steam Electric Industry

EPA provided background on the study of the steam electric industry, highlighting that the study 

evolved from research of publically available information to a data collection effort including 

site visits, wastewater sampling, and a questionnaire sent to nine companies. The main focus of 

the study was to characterize flue gas desulfurization (FGD) and ash sluice wastewater and 

treatment systems. 
September 18, 2009

Page 2

EPA discussed that as the study is concluding, there are some data gaps remaining. The 

Karn/Weadock site visit should help to fill in some of these data gaps, such as ash operations for 

oil-fired generating units and conversions from wet to dry fly ash handling systems. 

Purpose of the Site Visit

EPA stated that the main purpose of the site visit at the Karn/Weadock plants is to obtain 

information regarding the changes involved with the conversion of the wet fly ash handling 

system to a dry system and the operation of the oil-fired units. EPA is interested in understanding

the characteristics of ash generated from oil-fired units, the amount produced, and if the ash is 

handled wet or dry. 

EPA requested that the following points of the fly ash handling conversion be discussed and/or 

toured during the site visit:

• The specific parts of the wet system that were removed;

• The specific parts of the dry system that were added and their connection points;

• Any footprint issues with the conversion; and

• Shutdown time involved with the conversion.

Brief Introduction/Discussion of the Plant

EPA reviewed the major discussion topics for the site visit:

• General plant information/background;

• Dry fly ash handling system conversion;

• Oil ash (when/how generated/handled);

• Ash ponds; and

• Landfills.

Consumers Energy stated that oil-fired units at the Karn/Weadock power plants are peaking units 

and run rarely. The oil units have run less than usual this summer due to lower than usual air 

temperatures. These units are capable of using oil or natural gas and have recently been using 

natural gas. These units do not produce much ash with oil use due to relatively low boiler 

temperatures. The oil ash that is generated is vacuumed out of the boilers and is trucked off site.

Site Visit Logistics

• EPA stated that the site visits conducted during this study have usually consisted 

of the following:

o Check in

o Safety briefing

o Introduction to the plant

o Tour

o Debrief from the tour/questions
September 18, 2009

Page 3

• EPA stated that EPA/ERG will come prepared with hard hats, steel-toed shoes, 

safety glasses, and hearing protection for the tour.

• EPA stated that there will be four EPA/ERG staff on the site visit: Ron Jordan and

Jezebele Alicea, EPA and Sarah Holman and Elizabeth Sabol, ERG.

• EPA stated that during the site visit they would like to take photos to aid in the 

preparation of notes from the visit. EPA stated that Consumers Energy will 

receive a copy of all photos taken and will be able to flag any photos as 

confidential.

• EPA confirmed directions to the Karn/Weadock power plants with Consumers 

Energy.

• EPA, Consumers Energy, and the Karn/Weadock power plants agreed to begin 

the site visit at 7:30 AM EDT on Tuesday, September 22, 2009. Consumers 

Energy, Karn/Weadock, and EPA plan to have lunch at the power plant.