As discussions about climate change continue to advance at the national and state legislative levels, more people are becoming educated on the importance of air quality. A number of factors can influence the air we breathe including emissions from vehicles, manufacturing factories and, of course, power plants.
Air quality standards
Under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency set National Ambient Air Quality Standards, or NAAQS, for pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. They are carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter.
Air quality in the Pikes Peak region
For decades, we have worked with the State of Colorado to measure the affects of population growth, energy production and increased transportation on air quality in the Pikes Peak. Our procedures and equipment are approved by the EPA.
We consistently meet or exceed air quality standards and regulations, and the Pikes Peak region is in attainment with NAAQS.
In 2008, all of our power plants qualified as low emitters under Colorado regulations for mercury. Our Nixon Power Plant, located in Fountain, has met all air quality limits for more than three years. The Drake Power Plant in downtown Colorado Springs met all air quality limits 99.998 percent of the year.
The Climate Registry
We are a founding member of The Climate Registry, a nonprofit collaboration among North American states, provinces, territories and Native Sovereign Nations that sets consistent and transparent standards to calculate, verify and publicly report greenhouse gas emissions into a single registry.
Through the Registry, we voluntarily inventory, verify and publicly report our greenhouse gas releases. This allows for accurate, consistent and transparent measurement of emissions across North America. The first report will be available in 2010.
Our responsibility, our actions
We manage our emissions through a combination of effective operations and maintenance, pollution controls, fuel selection and renewable energy.
Renewable sources
About five percent of our electric generation is supplied by renewable sources, such as hydroelectric power, which have low to no emissions. We are exploring the potential for using woody biomass (wood waste products) as a fuel source for electric generation. And, with more wind power planned for 2010 or 2011, the amount of renewable energy available to our community will increase.
Baghouse technology
Baghouses at each of our coal-burning power plants act like giant vacuums. These vacuums remove soot and ash from the boiler's exhaust gases before it goes up the stack. Baghouses remove more than 99 percent of the particulate. Some of the ash that is collected by the baghouses is sold to concrete companies for use as an additive that strengthens cement.
Low-sulfur coal
We use low-sulfur coal, which burns cleaner than other types, from northern Colorado and Wyoming mines.
Low-NOx burner technology
By using low-NOx burners, we greatly reduce the amount of nitrogen oxide, or NOx, gas naturally formed through the burning of coal.
Emissions control technology testing
We have partnered with local entrepreneur Dr. David Neumann (Neumann Systems Group) to test his emission control technology at the Drake Power Plant. Small-scale testing to remove sulfur dioxide, or SOx, has proved successful, and a larger-scale test for removal of SOx began in August, 2009. It’s possible that this partnership will help us meet air quality standards for a third of the cost of traditional technologies in less than one-tenth of the physical space.
Odor control
Both of our wastewater treatment plants are equipped with pollution control technology to help mitigate odor and treatment emissions.
In this together
You can help protect our air quality by taking these steps.
- Use energy wisely. The less electricity you use, the less we have to make.
- Avoid using lighter fluid to start your barbecue.
- Use an electric-powered or push mower instead of ones fueled by gasoline.
- Keep your car in tip-shape to maintain its fuel efficiency.
- Consider a hybrid vehicle for your next car or truck.
- Pedal power (bicycles) help protect the environment and improve your well being.
