EPA Grants Extended Stay of 45 Days for San Juan Generating Station (New Mexico)

PNM Resources’ New Mexico utility, PNM, today said the U.S. EPA extended for an additional 45 days the administrative stay regarding the federal implementation plan to address regional haze under the Clean Air Act. EPA has mandated that PNM equip the 1800 MW coal-fired power plant with SCR to control emissions under the Regional Haze Program. “We are encouraged to hear that the EPA is interested in considering the recently proposed state alternative,” said Pat Collawn, PNM Resources chairman, president and CEO. “We have supported efforts over the past 90 days to explore alternatives that could provide environmental benefits, while also reducing costs for customers. We think the proposed state alternative offers a potential way forward to achieving this goal.” The stay will expire on November 29, 2012.

Oral arguments before the10th Circuit Court of Appeals were scheduled for October 23. PNM will continue pursuing its appeal of the federal implementation plan. There is no deadline for a decision from the court following the arguments.