DEP pulls proposed rule for dirty plant

YARMOUTH — The Natural Resources Council of Maine blasted state environmental officials Thursday for withdrawing a proposed rule to cut emissions at one of Maine’s largest and dirtiest power plants.

The DEP withdrew the proposed rule from its agenda after learning that the owner of the Wyman Power Plant, Florida Power and Light, requested a special meeting with Gov. Angus King to discuss it. The meeting is expected to occur later this month or in December.

FPL bought the oil-burning plant from Central Maine Power Co. last year.

Members of the environmental advocacy group complained that residents will suffer because of the DEP’s decision to withdraw the proposed rule for the second time.

“Enough is enough,” Sue Jones, air quality director for the Natural Resources Council, said in a printed news release Thursday.

“This is outrageous that FPL wants more time to try to negotiate with the governor,” Jones continued. “The citizens of Maine deserve timely pollution reductions from our dirtiest power plant.”

The Wyman plant for years did not operate at full capacity, as cheaper energy was available from nuclear, gas and hydroelectric plants in New England. But residents of Cousins Island, where the plant is located, have complained in the past about emissions of soot coating their cars, homes and boats.