By KRWG News
Albuquerque – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will require the operators of a coal-fired power plant in northwestern New Mexico to install stringent pollution-control technology to protect public health and improve visibility in the Four Corners area.
The EPA said Tuesday the controls on the San Juan Generating Station's coal-fired units are expected to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides by about 83 percent.
Nitrogen oxides can react with other chemicals to form ozone and small particles, both of which are harmful to public health.
The EPA contends the plant has not updated pollution-control technology to meet current air quality goals of the Clean Air Act's Regional Haze program.
Public Service Company of New Mexico, which owns about half the plant, had no immediate comment.
Environmentalists praised EPA's action.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.