A coalition of conservation- and environmental groups notified the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)They announced earlier in the month that they You intend to sue the agencyThey claim that this is an attempt to enforce the latest round Regional haze rules.
This is what follows PacifiCorpThe owner of Rocky Mountain PowerThe majority owner of Jim Bridger Power Plant, PacifiCorp, was required to install selective catalytic reduction pollution control controls by 2021. In a 2014 agreement, PacifiCorp with the EPA stipulated that PacifiCorp must reduce the amount of pollution from the Jim Bridger facility. It also has to comply with a regional haze planning. PacifiCorp claims that PacifiCorp failed to install pollution-reducing control measures because of the following: The expected lifespan of the products was too short to justify the high cost of installation.Jim Bridger facility.
In late Dec., Gov. Governor Mark Gordon signed a Temporary Emergency Suspension OrderThis allowed unit 2 of the Jim Bridger Power Plant’s operations to continue until April, avoiding a shutdown on January 1. Gordon announced last week that an A deal was reached between PacifiCorp and the State of WyomingTo allow unit 2 to continue operation beyond the previous Apr. 30 deadline.
We appreciate the Wyoming Governors Office’s efforts to work with the EPA and find a solution that will ensure PacifiCorps compliance to the requirements of the EPA. Clean Air ActThe Jim Bridger units will continue to operate under reduced emissions until natural gas is converted, according to a statement sent by Rocky Mountain Power to Wyoming Public Media.
A coalition of conservation and environmental organizations responded by declaring their intent against the EPA. They gave the agency a 60-day notice that they could enforce the current haze regulations or sue in federal court.
The EPA must enforce clean air rules. Wyoming and PacifiCorp clearly don’t prioritize clean air, stated Rob Joyce, Energy Organizer for Wyoming’s Sierra Club Chapter. Wyoming and PacifiCorp both know they are violating clean air rules at the Jim Bridger Power Plant. That pollution is continuing to harm our national parks and our health, safety and climate.
According to the National Park Conservation Association (NPCA), the Jim Bridger Power Plant can be used for power generation. Wyoming is the largest source of haze pollutionThe other is the Third–National parks have the largest concentration of haze.
PacifiCorp intends to convert units 1 and 2 to natural gas by 2024The conversion process could take around two years. The company also requested carbon capture technology be installed on the remaining units.
PacifiCorp will still need to continue to use coal for units 1 and 2, until the conversion is complete. In Jan.The The course of the EPA has been reversedFrom a 2020 decision Reject Wyoming’s revised implementation plansThey claim they would weaken existing requirements.
[The]EPA is looking forward to reviewing materials submitted by Wyoming DEQ in its comment. [the]The EPA proposed to disapprove Wyoming’s State Implementation Plan revision. This was stated in a statement sent by the EPA to Wyoming Public Media. This development and Wyomings and PacifiCorps’ agreement to include these obligations in a revised SIP are encouraging. [state implementation plan]. Administrator [Michael]Regan appreciates the State’s efforts and the constructive dialog with Governor Gordon.The EPA did not elaborate on the possibility of a lawsuit.
This is potential litigation [the]Wyoming Public Media was emailed a statement by an EPA spokesperson stating that the EPA has no further comment.
