KRWG News –
FARMINGTON, N.M. (KRWG) Public Service Company of New Mexico says a $320 million equipment upgrade at its San Juan Generating Station is expected to help the coal-fired power plant outperform recently proposed federal emissions standards for mercury.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to require power plants to remove at least 91 percent of their mercury emissions. PNM officials say each of the plant's four units appear to be removing more than that.
PNM says the plant's mercury emissions have been reduced from 496 pounds in 2006 to 66 pounds in 2010.
The plant has also seen reductions in nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter since completing the equipment upgrade two years ago.
Environmental groups have argued that PNM can do more to limit emissions from the plant near Farmington.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. KRWG