SCR is a technology that reduces emissions of nitrogen oxide into the air, similar to what a catalytic converter does on a vehicle. Then, depending on the reduction levels attained by the single SCR and attainable through the installation of other controls on the other two Jeffrey Energy Center coal units, a second SCR system will be installed on another Jeffrey coal unit by the end of 2016, if needed to meet nitrogen oxide reduction targets.
Already scheduled projects to install low-nitrogen oxide burners and electrostatic precipitators will go forward as planned.
Bill Moore, president and CEO of Westar, said: “In the past few years, Westar has already invested hundreds of millions of dollars to improve the environmental performance of our coal plants. Long before the Department of Justice filed this lawsuit, we were already taking actions to keep our air clean. Today’s settlement is an extension of our environmental stewardship.
“The settlement calls for environmental investments and mitigation we would have eventually done anyway, and puts our dollars to work for the environment rather than being spent on expensive litigation.”
In 2009, Westar completed a three-year project that cuts sulpher dioxide emissions at Jeffrey by over 95%. Westar plans to invest $6m in environmental mitigation projects over six years.
The mitigation investments are targeted toward development of such initiatives as hybrid electric utility vehicle and electric transportation infrastructure, clean diesel vehicle conversions and renewable wind.
Westar also agrees to pay a $3m civil penalty as part of the settlement.
Larry Irick, vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Westar, said: “Although Westar has obeyed all environmental laws and regulations, it makes more sense to reach a settlement to invest in a cleaner environment than to spend money on lengthy litigation arguing about these allegations.’’
