EPA adds third option to reduce coal-fired emissions from Navajo power plant

EPA third option reduce coal-fired emissions Navajo Generating Station power plant Arizona Salt River Project regional haze

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has added an option to reduce pollution from the 2,250 MW coal-fired Navajo Generating Station in Arizona that would require shutting down one of the plant’s three units. The proposal to meet compliance under the EPA’s regional haze rule was submitted by a group that includes Salt River Project, the operator of the facility.

SRP has previously said installing one selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system on each of the three units would around $544 million, with costs possibly exceeding $1.1 billion if additional equipment is needed. Under its proposal, one unit at the plant would be shut down by Jan. 1, 2020 and installing SCRs on the other units would be delayed until 2030.

The public can now comment on that proposal before the EPA issues a final decision for Navajo plant. The agency has scheduled public hearings in November.