Hearing held for Microsoft generators
Officials with the state Department of Ecology and Microsoft led a public meeting in Quincy about the use of Microsoft's generators.
QUINCY - About 20 people attended a presentation about the
proposed installation of diesel generators at the Microsoft
Columbia Data Center in Quincy.
Microsoft's 13 backup generators would be used in case of a
power outage and would be in addition to 24 generators already on
site.
QUINCY - About 20 people attended a presentation about the proposed installation of diesel generators at the Microsoft Columbia Data Center in Quincy.
Microsoft's 13 backup generators would be used in case of a power outage and would be in addition to 24 generators already on site.
But the state Department of Ecology (DOE) is requiring a third-tier review of Microsoft's draft generator permit.
It's because state rules have become stricter and a tax incentive resulted in more companies eyeing Quincy earlier this year.
"Ecology was concerned that the cumulative effect of diesel engine emissions should be assessed," stated Cathy Cochrane, a DOE spokesperson.
The emissions are a toxic air pollutant.
At the meeting, one person provided verbal testimony, asking questions about the emissions' health effects, and the Port of Quincy submitted a letter in favor of the project.
Other written comments previously submitted include one letter in support of the project and a letter with information about diesel particulate.
The deadline for written comments is Oct. 4.
The oral and written comments could be used to amend the draft permit.
Microsoft Project Manager Sean James called the Quincy data center the company's most efficient, adding it features a very low power usage effectiveness, or PUE.
He called the Caterpillar generators efficient and described them as portable units.
Microsoft is not asking to burn more fuel or emit more exhaust, James explained.
He said the electrical reliability in Quincy is really quite good.
Microsoft is coordinating with other area data centers to coordinate maintenance cycles.
During the meeting Tuesday, resident Patty Martin asked questions about the health effects of the emissions and possible risk to Mountain View Elementary School.
Gary Palcisko, a DOE toxicologist, said the effects are lower by a wide margin.
He came to this conclusion by looking at the cumulative effects from all sources in Quincy and comparing it to the EPA's level of concern.
Microsoft agreed to take a fuel reduction, reducing the health risks, he said.
Martin said she understood there were filters available that could reduce generator emissions by 90 percent.
The cost benefit should weigh more on our side, she said.
Gregory Flibbert, of DOE, said the state agency evaluated the cost of adding controls on the engines and found the costs were higher.
Quincy resident Tod Heikes asked Flibbert if he could see how that would sound to a parent.
Heikes also provided public testimony and asked more questions. He asked if diesel exhaust particulate only acted as a gas, or settled. If the particulate settles, he wanted to know if there would be biological issues, especially in young children.
He also asked if generators would be running during school hours.
Others provided written comments instead, like Pat Boss, representing the Port of Quincy.
The port is in favor of Microsoft's expansion and of allowing the generators.
"According to Grant County PUD, Quincy has a high level of electrical power redundancy because it is drawing electrical power from two different sets of transmission lines, known as the west transmission ones," he stated. "More specifically, the Microsoft Data Center draws its power from the west transmission lines, while Intuit and Yahoo! draw their power from the east transmission lines."
Written comments can be sent to Gregory Flibbert, Air Quality Program, Department of Ecology, Eastern Region Office, 4601 N. Monroe St., Spokane, Wash., 99205-1295 or by e-mail to gfli461@ecy.wa.gov.
Permit documents and information about the health assessment can be reviewed at Quincy City Hall, at 104 B St. SW, Quincy or DOE's Eastern Region Office, Air Quality Program, 4601 N. Monroe St., Spokane, or by contacting Flibbert at 509-329-3452.
For more information, visit www.ecy.wa.govprograms/air/Tier2/Tier2_final.html or microsoft.com.
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