AEP-PSO files environmental compliance plan to shut down coal-fired units
BY ROD WALTON World Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
AEP-PSO notified state regulators Wednesday about its long-term plan to eventually close two coal-fired generation units and meet federal environmental standards for emissions and air quality.
The state’s second largest electricity, which serves most of the Tulsa area, will file testimony in support of its Environmental Compliance Plan for EPA rules on regional haze and mercury and air toxics. American Electric Power-Public Service Co. of Oklahoma will retire one of its two Northeastern Station coal-fired units in Oologah by early 2016, fit the other with emissions control equipment and then shut it down completely by 2026.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency and AEP-PSO came to an agreement about the regional haze and mercury rules in April. The Tulsa-based utility, which is owned by Ohio-based AEP, dropped a lawsuit against the federal agency protesting the rule’s timelines.
Oklahoma Gas and Electric, the state’s largest utility, is continuing its legal battle against the EPA over the rules.
No details were available Wednesday afternoon on how the compliance plan will affect utility rates for AEP-PSO’s 530,000 customers. The lost generation from the coal-fired units will have to replaced by new plants, purchased power and energy efficiency measures.
AEP-PSO officials also met with state regulators Wednesday to discuss a 10-year integrated resource plan.
