From a toxic
point of view, benzene is a known human carcinogen [according to] the
Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, the World Health Organization and virtually any regulatory body you could name.
We should keep them open as long as feasible from an economic,
environmental, and
safety point of view, but when the decision is made to replace them, make sure other non-carbon generation and energy efficiency options are part
of the decision.