We work with Norfolk Southern Railroad to reduce community impact of rail deliveries.

Community Question

What is being done to reduce the impact of train deliveries?

We are managing the time and type of delivery. Our continuous dialogue with Norfolk Southern Railroad and the City ensures deliveries are restricted to certain windows of time. Keep in mind that train deliveries are a function of our operation level: higher generation in summer and winter requires more frequent coal deliveries.

August 18, 2008 letter from Department of Transportation and Environmental Services»

Like any business, Potomac River Generating Station receives daily deliveries of various goods and supplies to conduct operations. This includes shipments by truck and rail.

Trains

Trains serve hundreds of businesses in the area, including the Washington Post’s Robinson’s Terminal located a few blocks away from the plant. While we have no control over the transportation and logistics systems, we do strive to influence delivery schedules. We are continuously coordinating with the railroad to reduce community impact of rail deliveries, to the extent possible.

Here are some of the ways we’ve addressed train traffic:

• Deliveries and associated activities shall occur between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and again 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. With a longer daytime window, we are confident that fewer nighttime rail deliveries will be needed. We've also shortened the nighttime activities to conclude by 10 p.m. We will operate under this new schedule on a trial basis through March 31, 2009 at which time we'll make any necessary adjustments;
• To avoid blocking the intersections at Madison and Montgomery streets for long periods of time, no more than 20 cars shall be delivered at one time into the plant;
• We encourage mid-day train deliveries when possible to reduce train car movement at night; and
• We track railcar delivery times daily and provide monthly summaries to the railroad and City of Alexandria officials.

2007 train schedule log»

Truck Traffic

Truck traffic is managed by:

• Restricting deliveries to a 7 a.m.-3 p.m. window;
• Washing and covering trucks before they leave the property;
• Using “short quad” trailers (trucks that are shorter in length but taller in height and hold more material), reducing the number of ash truck trips through the city by 20 percent; and
• Inspecting trucks daily and addressing problems immediately.

Noise Reduction

To reduce noise, we:

• Perform coal unloading during the day shift (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.);
• Work with Norfolk Southern Railroad on maintaining an 11 p.m. train curfew;
• Installed noise insulators on Unit 5 precipitator rappers, which are the closest to our neighbors;
• Limit outside activities from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and
• Turned off the outside public address system

What are the beeping noises I'm hearing from the plant?

As part of our operations regulations, a Sonic Detection and Ranging (SODAR) instrument has been installed on the roof at Potomac River Generating Station. SODAR is a meteorological device that uses audible tones to measure wind speeds at elevations above the plant. This wind data is a required part of our operations under an ongoing Model Evaluation Study at the plant.

SODAR sets off a series of variable pitched beeps that may be more noticeable in humid weather, which carries sound farther. So if you hear a sound, it may be SODAR at work.