ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Public Service Company of New Mexico is seeking permission from state regulators to install new pollution controls at the San Juan Generating Station.
The utility is under a mandate by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency to trim haze-causing pollution from the coal-fired power plant in northwestern New Mexico by 2016.
A federal appeals court recently denied a request by PNM and the state to put on hold the mandate so the courts could settle the dispute. However, legal appeals are still pending.
PNM officials argue that selective non-catalytic reduction technology would be a more cost-effective option than what the EPA is requiring. They say they want to keep costs as low as possible for ratepayers.
Environmental groups contend the federal plan would do more to curb emissions from San Juan.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.