Dec 18 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Ed Taylor The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.


Salt River Project and its customers have started receiving electricity from Springerville Unit 4, the state's newest coal-fired power plant.

The $1 billion unit, located at Tucson Electric Power's existing Springerville generating complex, replaces generation lost when the Mohave Generating Station in Laughlin, Nev., was closed in December 2005 due to pollution concerns.

"Replacing Mohave with Springerville Unit 4 is a lot like replacing an older used car with a new more modern vehicle," said SRP Chief Financial Executive Mark Bonsall. "It is a lot more expensive than the older technology, but it is also more efficient and is equipped with new, more effective environmental controls."

The new Springerville unit will be operated by TEP, but the entire output of the 400 megawatt generator will go to Salt River Project.

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