Ames to test power plant for dioxins

The City of Ames plans to test its power plant for the emission of dangerous chemicals known as dioxins. An international research group’s study released in October claimed the city-owned plant was releasing dioxins that threaten the health of Inuit Natives in Canada’s Arctic region. Assistant City Manager Bob Kindred says the city staff has been negotiating with the Midwest Research Institute to develop a testing program. The city council had decided to explore testing, even though there’s never been an indication from the E-P-A or anyone else that the plant was emitting the dioxins.Kindred says if the city council approves the study, it would begin in the spring as temperatures have to be above freezing for the study, which will cost about 100-thousand dollars. The Ames Power Plant burns about 90-percent coal and 10-percent garbage — and the report claims the burning garbage is producing the dioxins. Kindred says they’ve always believed the coal burned hot enough to burn off the dioxins. He says the plant isn’t even regulated for the production of dioxins. Kindred says the council will vote on a proposal for the study at their meeting in March.