MITIGATING OUR IMPACT
We strive to mitigate our environmental impact and increase the sustainability of our operations. Additionally, we have invested in environmental controls to reduce the impact of non-GHG emissions resulting from electricity generation at our two regulated coal plants.
FORT MARTIN POWER STATION ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES
At Fort Martin, we have invested in environmental control systems. Each unit has a scrubber system that removes more than 98 percent of the sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions. As part of the scrubber system, a Physical-Chemical Wastewater Treatment System removes solids and metals from the scrubber wastewater. The scrubbed flue gas produces a steam plume that is carried from the units through a chimney.
The station is also equipped with electrostatic precipitators, which in conjunction with the scrubber remove 99 percent of the fly ash from flue gases, and low nitrogen oxides (NOx) burners, which reduce NOx emission by 50%. We’ve also installed GORE technology on both units to aid in mercury reduction.
In addition, each unit is equipped with a hyperbolic cooling tower that reduces the temperature of approximately 250,000 gallons of water per minute. A plume of water vapor leaves the top of the tower while cooled water collects at the base where it is mixed with fresh water and recycled leachate to make up for evaporative losses of the water vapor leaving the tower.
HARRISON POWER STATION ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES
We have also invested in Harrison’s environmental control systems. All three units are equipped with a scrubber system, located between the boilers and the chimney, that remove more than 98 percent of the SO2 emissions.
All three units are equipped with low NOx burners and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems for removal of nitrogen oxides from the flue gases. The SCR systems transform nitrogen oxides into nitrogen, which becomes part of the ambient air and water. These systems remove at least 90 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions from the flue gas.
In addition, Harrison is equipped with electrostatic precipitators, which in conjunction with the scrubber remove 99 percent of the fly ash from flue gases. In addition, each of the two hyperbolic cooling towers reduce the temperature of approximately 270,000 gallons of water per minute. A plume of water vapor leaves the top of the tower while cooled water collects at the base where it is mixed with fresh water and recycled leachate to make up for evaporative losses of the water vapor leaving the tower.