WASHINGTON, Aug 12, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire
As part of the fifteenth settlement secured by the Justice Department and
the Environmental Protection Agency to control harmful air pollution from
coal-fired power plants, the owner and operator of a plant in St. Johns,
Ariz., has agreed to install pollution controls at an estimated cost of $400
million to reduce harmful emissions and pay a $950,000 civil penalty.
Today's settlement resolves alleged violations of the New Source Review
requirements of the Clean Air Act.
The Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District (SRP) has
agreed to install and operate new pollution control equipment on both
generating units at its Coronado Generating Station. The controls will
reduce combined emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx)
by over 21,000 tons each year.
SRP will install flue gas desulfurization devices, known as scrubbers, to
control SO2 at both units and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) controls
to limit NOx at one of the units. This is the first settlement ever to
secure an SCR retrofit of an existing coal-fired electric generating unit in
the Western United States.
"The reductions in harmful emissions secured by this settlement are
substantial and will have a beneficial impact on air quality in Arizona and
downwind areas," said Ronald J. Tenpas, Assistant Attorney General for the
Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. "SRP's
willingness to settle rather than litigate the various issues in this case
allowed the parties to focus their efforts on securing the best results for
the environment. The Justice Department will continue our efforts to pursue
emission reductions from power plants across the country to achieve the
benefits envisioned by the Clean Air Act."
"This settlement is a significant victory for air quality in Arizona," said
U.S. Attorney Diane J. Humetewa. "I am pleased we are working with the EPA
in our fight for cleaner air. The Department of Justice has a deep
commitment to enforce federal laws that protect the public from harmful
emissions. The steps SRP will take to retrofit the Coronado Generating
Station will have a positive effect on our air quality for years to come."
"This settlement marks a significant step in controlling harmful nitrogen
oxide emissions in the Western United States," said Granta Nakayama,
assistant administrator for EPA's enforcement and compliance assurance
program. "The installation of state-of-the-art technology sets an important
benchmark for the control of this harmful pollutant. EPA is committed to
ensuring coal-fired power plants comply with the Clean Air Act."
In addition, SRP will spend $4 million on environmentally beneficial
projects to reduce air emissions and mitigate the impacts of the alleged
violations. The projects include the following:
-- Retrofit public school bus diesel engines in the Phoenix metropolitan
area with pollution control equipment;
-- Install solar photovoltaic panels on school buildings in Arizona, and
fund the maintenance of the panels for at least 10 years;
-- Offer incentives to residential homeowners, such as rebates, toward the
replacement of pre-1988 wood stoves with cleaner burning, energy-efficient
stoves or hearth appliances.
In a complaint that the government filed concurrently with lodging this
consent decree, the EPA and the Justice Department alleged that the utility
illegally modified the two units at the plant, thereby increasing air
pollution. Specifically, the government cited the utility for failing to
obtain necessary pre-construction permits and install required pollution
control equipment.
Today's settlement is part of the EPA's enforcement initiative to control
harmful emissions from coal-fired power plants under the Clean Air Act's New
Source Review requirements. Last year, American Electric Power agreed to cut
more than 800,000 tons of air pollutants annually in the single largest
environmental enforcement settlement in history. The total combined SO2 and
NOx emission reductions secured from these settlements will exceed over 1.8
million tons each year once all the required pollution controls are
installed and operating.
NOx and SO2 emissions cause severe respiratory problems and contribute to
childhood asthma. These pollutants are also significant contributors to acid
rain, smog, and haze which impair visibility in national parks. Air
pollution from power plants can travel significant distances downwind,
crossing state lines and creating region-wide health problems.
The proposed consent decree was lodged with the U.S. District Court for the
District of Arizona, and will be subject to a 30-day public comment period.
A copy of the consent decree is available on the Department of Justice Web
site at
http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/open.html .
SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice
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