FGD and DeNOx
NEWSLETTER       

                                                                                                           May 2003
                                                                                                             No. 301

Regional Haze Regs Will Require FGD in North Dakota

A decision by EPA on regional haze in North Dakota is due shortly. The issue is not about the installation of scrubbers but “when”. The plants that might have to be scrubbed would be Basin Electric Power Leland Olds, Great River Energy Stanton (one unit), and Minnkota Power. Scrubber upgrades might also be required for a second Minnkota unit, both units at Great River Energy’s Coal Creek Station and the Heskett refinery unit at Mandan. In any case, by 2013 the regional haze regulations will require all the power plants in the region to install scrubbers.

The North Dakota State Health Dept. and the U.S. EPA have been at odds over whether the state is violating its Class I air quality standard, a pristine measurement required for both units of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Elkhorn Ranch at the national park and the Lostwood National Wilderness Area in North Dakota. The EPA says North Dakota is in violation by a significant amount and  should   fix the problem. Terry O'Clair, who heads the state's air quality program, said North Dakota has already decided to cap how much SO₂ power plants and oil and gas sources can put into the atmosphere.

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