Sep 26 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Cornelia de Bruin The Daily Times, Farmington, N.M.

Electric company PNM will have to explain to the state's Environmental Department why a release of fly ash at its San Juan Generating Station happened Thursday.

The utility also will be required to report whether it violated air quality regulations.

Company spokeswoman Susan Sponar described the release as small, although callers to The Daily Times who would not give their names were angered by the incident.

Fly ash contains silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide and iron oxide particles. New Mexico Environment Department spokeswoman Marissa Stone described the material as "incombustible particulate matter present in coal that's crushed to burn but can't be burned."

The Natural Resources Defense Council, however, cautions the coal combustion waste contains aluminum, arsenic, boron, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and sulfate. The chemicals can cause cancer, birth defects, reproductive problems, damage to the nervous system and kidneys and learning disabilities.

It used to be released

into the atmosphere, but coal-burning plants are required to capture and dispose of the material.

The release happened around mid-morning as six employees worked on Unit 1 of the plant. The unit is offline as part of the plant's environmental upgrade which is under way.

"Contractors were removing some insulating materials from outside the boiler," Sponar said. "A small quantity of ash can accumulate between the boiler tubes; when the insulation was removed it became dislodged."

The workers told her the cloud of ash was not large, she added.

"There were no other problems with the operating units," Sponar said. "The work was stopped and the area will be cleaned before any work is resumed."

The company told New Mexico Environment Department the maintenance issue is the result of upgrades required under a past $200 million settlement with the department.

"We want to make sure that residents are protected, that the company is taking the maximum precautions possible and that air quality regulations were not violated," Stone said.

The report must be submitted within

10 days, she added.

Cornelia de Bruin: cdebruin@daily-times.com

Copyright © 2008The McClatchy Company