Reliant Energy announced plans this week to install a state-of-the-art flue gas desulfurization system at its 580-megawatt, Cheswick Generating Station in Springdale, PA south of Pittsburgh.

Construction of the $250 million project is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2007, creating approximately 400 construction jobs and 20 permanent jobs at the plant. Capital expenditures for the project are in line with the company's previously disclosed capital budget and will be incurred from 2007 through 2009. The scrubber is scheduled to begin operation in the fourth quarter 2009.

"This investment demonstrates our commitment to both the environment as well as the local community," said Joel Staff, chairman and chief executive officer, Reliant Energy. "Installation of a scrubber at Cheswick will create construction jobs and improve the long-term economic viability of the plant, while contributing to cleaner air in the state."

The scrubber will remove approximately 98 percent of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from the plant's flue gas, lowering historical SO2 emissions from Cheswick by approximately 40,000 tons per year.

Another important benefit of the scrubber is mercury removal. Operating in conjunction with the plant's existing nitrogen oxide (NOx) controls, the system will remove between 80 percent and 90 percent of the mercury in bituminous coal. In addition, the scrubber will reduce current particulate emissions by an additional 62 percent.

Plans call for gypsum from the Cheswick plant to be sold to wallboard manufacturers, turning a waste stream into a usable resource.

"Installation of the scrubber will provide both environmental and economic benefits," said Dave Freysinger, senior vice president, generation operations, Reliant Energy. "In addition to emissions reductions and creation of jobs, the scrubber will allow the flexibility to source coal from local coal markets."

NewsClip: Power Plants Getting Cleanup

7/7/2006