“Sweet odor” worries power plant neighbors

subscribe

A “sweet” burning odor emitted from the Ames Power Plant is non-toxic and the result of firing up a second generating unit to meet high electric demand.

Electric Services Director Donald Kom confirmed the odor as coming from cooling towers at the plant. Employees noticed the smell and immediately started investigating, he said.

A water treatment chemical consultant determined the odor was caused by a sequence of events in firing up the second generating unit. The first steps are to fill the cooling towers with well water and treat the water with a small quantity of bleach.

“While this process always creates a sweet, burnt odor, the smell was likely more noticeable this week due to the hot, humid weather,” said Susan Gwiasda, the city’s public relations officer.

The consultant determined the odor was not hazardous to people or plants, she said.

Kom said the electric service is modifying its start-up procedures to minimize the smell due to neighborhood concerns.

Related News

power lines

Energy prices trigger EU inflation, poor worst hit

BERLIN - Higher energy prices, including for natural gas, are pushing up electricity prices and the cost of living for households across the EU, prompting governments to cut taxes and provide financial support to the tune of several billion euros.

A series of reports published by Cambridge Econometrics in October and November 2022 found that households in EU countries are spending much more on energy than in 2020 and that governments are spending billions of euros to help consumers pay bills and cut taxes.

In France, for example, the poorest households now spend roughly one-third more on energy than in 2020. Between…

READ MORE

Britons could save on soaring bills as ministers plan to end link between gas and electricity prices

READ MORE

Iran, Iraq Discuss Further Cooperation in Energy Sector

Iran, Iraq Discuss Further Cooperation in Energy Sector

READ MORE

lori clark

Power customers in British Columbia, Quebec have faced fees for refusing the installation of smart meters

READ MORE

US Electricity Prices

US Electricity Prices Rise Most in 41 Years as Inflation Endures

READ MORE