
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, July 10, 1990                   TAG: 9007100455
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

AIR POLLUTION IN PARK MAY GET WORSE

OFFICIALS at Shenandoah National Park are concerned that the already serious air-pollution problem within the park may get worse. Forty new power plants are proposed for construction in Virginia. Many of the proposed plants will be coal-fired, employing technology that is far below state-of-the-art.

The superintendent of the Shenandoah National Park, J.W. Wade, has stated that "the proposed large increases in total emissions of air pollutants may have a devastatingly adverse impact on the sensitive natural resources found in the park and other mountainous areas of the commonwealth."

In order to protect the park from further damage, Wade has formally requested that Virginia place a moratorium on issuing of air permits to those proposed power plants that would emit more than 500 tons of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides annually. Wade recommends that the moratorium remain in effect until a careful review of Virginia's energy needs is made and "a plan is developed that will not only serve to meet these energy needs but also will assure adequate protection of the natural resources of Virginia and the quality of life for all."

SHELLEY G. BOURDON

\ Rockbridge Area Conservation Council\ LEXINGTON

by CNB