June 10, 2004

Contact: Rae Todd 970-229-5255

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rawhide Energy Station - Getting Better and Better

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Twenty years ago, the Rawhide Energy Station, owned and operated by Platte River Power Authority, began commercial operation on March 31, 1984, supplying the communities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland with reliable, low-cost and environmentally responsible electricity.

It took over four years to build, and even more to obtain approvals and permits, find a suitable site, build a railroad spur to allow for fuel deliveries, hold numerous public hearings throughout three counties (Weld, Larimer and Boulder), design an environmentally responsible, efficient power plant, adopt a herd of American bison and test everything over and over.

"It was a tremendous undertaking to plan and build Rawhide," said Brian Moeck, Platte River's general manager. "The electricity needs of Platte River's four owner communities in addition to environmental considerations and fiscal responsibility were our driving forces."

Rawhide's coal-fired generator, Unit One generates 270 MW (megawatts) of electricity, enough to serve about 250,000 homes. Enhancements in operating efficiencies and improvements in air quality control technology have allowed Rawhide to continue as the lowest-ranked coal-fired power plant in Colorado (among 25 coal-fired plants) in sulphur dioxide emissions¹ and, for two consecutive years, the fifth-lowest coal-fired power plant in the United States in sulphur dioxide emissions². 

Rawhide was rated for the 2003 operating year as one of the top ten coal-fired generating units in the western United States (WECC - Western Energy Coordinating Council and ERCOT - Electric Reliability Council of Texas areas) based on low emission rates, high availability and low coal price for 12 months ending December 31, 2003.³

A landmark agreement between Platte River and the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division was signed in 2002. Platte River voluntarily committed to reducing the already low permitted levels of sulphur dioxide at Rawhide by 9 percent by January 1, 2003, and nitrous oxides by 35 percent beginning in 2005.

"Platte River is committed to finding new, proven environmental and operating technologies that can be installed in the Rawhide system while being cost-effective," said Jason Frisbie, Platte River's Division Manager of Power Production.

1 - Environmental Protection Agency
2 - Electric Light & Power, November 2002 and November 2003, Industry Report, page 21
3 - Innovative Business Engineering, LLC, Quarterly Report on Performance of WECC and ERCOT Coal-Fired Generating Units

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