Platte
River to Further Reduce Emissions at Rawhide Energy
Station
FORT
COLLINS, Colo. — A landmark agreement between
Platte River Power Authority and the Colorado Air
Pollution
Control Division was approved by the Colorado Air
Quality Control Commission yesterday. Platte River
is voluntarily reducing emissions at its Rawhide
Energy Station located north of Fort Collins. The
first part of the Voluntary Emissions Reduction Agreement
(VERA) commits to reducing sulfur dioxide (SO2),
effective January 1, 2003.
"
Rawhide is already the lowest in sulfur dioxide emissions
in the state," said Brian Moeck, Platte River’s
general manager. " We will be reducing SO2 by
9 percent by year’s end and nitrous oxides
will be reduced by 35 percent beginning in 2005.
This is another example of how we, a community-owned
utility, make improvements because we want to, not
because we have to."
Even as energy consumption in Platte River’s
member cities increases due to growth, the total
emissions generated at Rawhide will be reduced. Rawhide
currently operates well below its permitted levels.
These significant emissions reductions are permanent
and are being implemented even though they are not
required.
"
Platte River is doing things right," said Bob
Brady, chairman of the Air Quality Control Commission. "We’re
hoping this is a trend that others will follow."
Platte River was motivated to pursue a VERA by its
mission to provide reliable, low-cost and environmentally
responsible electricity to its owner communities.
In addition, Platte River’s environmental policy
states "Platte River will consider environmental
factors as an integral part of operating decisions" and "…as
technology improves and opportunities arise, be proactive
in evaluating and implementing improvements that
balance environmental and other socioeconomic concerns."
"
Platte River’s customers in all four communities
have expressed a strong interest in environmental
stewardship based on customer surveys," said
John Bleem, division manager of customer services. "Platte
River’s board of directors provides policy
direction for continuous environmental improvement
through their leadership. The staff at Rawhide deserves
a lot of credit for finding new ways to operate with
lower emissions while maintaining high reliability."
Platte River Power Authority generates and transmits
reliable, low-cost and environmentally responsible
electricity to its owner communities of Estes Park,
Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland for delivery
to their utility customers.
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