FirstEnergy Will Reduce Air Pollution From Plant

FirstEnergy Will Reduce Air Pollution From Plant

Jul 13 - Providence Journal

FirstEnergy Corp. has agreed to spend $1.1 billion to drastically cut pollution from a coal-burning power plant, delaying the opening of the penalty phase of a lawsuit by federal agencies and three states, including Connecticut, a source involved in the case told the Associated Press.

Environmentalists said the agreement likely will be scrutinized by other utilities companies being sued over pollution abatement.

It is the first trial over government accusations that utilities have rebuilt power plants without installing smog controls required under the Clean Air Act. The government says pollution from the plants drifts to the Northeast, where it causes acid rain and health problems.

The agreement between the utility and the plaintiffs, involving a power plant on the Ohio River near Steubenville, was reached last week, said the source, who declined to be identified because the judge instructed people involved in the case not to talk about it.

Under the agreement first reported yesterday by The Columbus Dispatch, FirstEnergy will reduce emissions by at least 90 percent by 2010 for acid rain-causing sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide, a component of smog, the source said.

The sides also agreed on the amount of penalties FirstEnergy must pay for violating the Clean Air Act, the source said, but would not discuss the specific amount. FirstEnergy also agreed to invest a certain amount of money in pollution-free energy production.

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