(BOSTON, MA) - PG&E Corporation's
(NYSE: PCG) National Energy Group today applauded the leadership
of the Cellucci administration for its initiative in securing commitments
from electric power generating companies to implement progressive
air emissions reductions plans. PG&E Corporation, along with four
other electric power generators, submitted action plans to the governor,
who announced the commitments to new standards at a press conference
today. Governor Cellucci has instructed the Department of Environmental
Protection to draft regulations based on these standards.
"This announcement reaffirms
Massachusetts' position as a national leader in setting the most
aggressive integrated multi-pollutant standards for power plant
emissions," said PG&E National Energy Group Vice President and Cimages/news/newsstrative
Officer for the Northeast Steven A. Wolfgram. "We hope this policy
will contribute to a broader dialogue that will lead to national
standards that contribute to continueimages/news/newsnts in air
quality, electric reliability and fair competition."
The plans submitted for
the Company's Brayton Point and Salem Harbor Stations include measures
to reduce emissions rates for nitrogen oxides (NOx) to 1.5 lbs./MWh
and sulfur dioxide (SO2) to 3.0 lbs./MWh. The plan also includes
strategies to reduce emissions of mercury and particulates. According
to Company officials, improvement options under consideration include
boiler replacements, operating curtailments, unit retirements, increased
use of natural gas and add-on control technologies, such as selective
non-catalytic reduction, limestone injection, selective catalytic
reduction, scrubbers, and fuel switching, among others.
"We have continued to make
good on the promises we made when we purchased the Brayton Point
and Salem Harbor plants less than two years ago," Wolfgram said.
"We are able to commit to the governor's new standards because we
have been working toward them all along. This initiative once again
shows the benefits that come from a cooperative effort that balances
environmental concerns with economic feasibility."
In 1998, the Company committed
to achieving substantial air emission reductions by 2010 as part
of the "Consumers First" agreement that accompanied electricity
restructuring legislation in Massachusetts. Since that time, PG&E
Corporation has also committed to emissions reductions that go well
beyond the requirements of existing regulations.
In 1999, the Company launched
a three-year effort to cut NOx and SO2 emissions at the Salem Harbor
and Brayton Point Stations. In addition, since 1990, more than $130
million has been invested at both plants to reduce emissions rates
by 60 and 40 percent for NOX and SO2, respectimages/news/news month
the Company announced plans to develop a $400 million modernization
of the Salem Harbor Station, that when completed, will make it one
of the cleanest coal-fueled power plants in the country.
"It's important that the
citizens of Massachusetts realize that we are part of the solution.
Together with the administration and members of the environmental
community, we are taking an important step forward in improving
air quality in the state and following through on our commitment
to our communities," said Wolfgram.
PG&E Corporation with 1999
operating revenues of nearly $21 billion and operations in 27 states,
markets energy services and products throughout North America through
its National Energy Group. The Corporation has a significant presence
in the New England area with ownership in 20 power plants and one
of the most active power trading businesses in the region.