FORT COLLINS, Colo. — A landmark agreement between Platte River Power Authority and the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division was approved by the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission yesterday. Platte River is voluntarily reducing emissions at its Rawhide Energy Station located north of Fort Collins. The first part of the Voluntary Emissions Reduction Agreement (VERA) commits to reducing sulfur dioxide (SO2), effective January 1, 2003.
" Rawhide is already the lowest in sulfur dioxide emissions in the state," said Brian Moeck, Platte River’s general manager. " We will be reducing SO2 by 9 percent by year’s end and nitrous oxides will be reduced by 35 percent beginning in 2005. This is another example of how we, a community-owned utility, make improvements because we want to, not because we have to."
Even as energy consumption in Platte River’s member cities increases due to growth, the total emissions generated at Rawhide will be reduced. Rawhide currently operates well below its permitted levels. These significant emissions reductions are permanent and are being implemented even though they are not required.
" Platte River is doing things right," said Bob Brady, chairman of the Air Quality Control Commission. "We’re hoping this is a trend that others will follow."
Platte River was motivated to pursue a VERA by its mission to provide reliable, low-cost and environmentally responsible electricity to its owner communities. In addition, Platte River’s environmental policy states "Platte River will consider environmental factors as an integral part of operating decisions" and "…as technology improves and opportunities arise, be proactive in evaluating and implementing improvements that balance environmental and other socioeconomic concerns."
" Platte River’s customers in all four communities have expressed a strong interest in environmental stewardship based on customer surveys," said John Bleem, division manager of customer services. "Platte River’s board of directors provides policy direction for continuous environmental improvement through their leadership. The staff at Rawhide deserves a lot of credit for finding new ways to operate with lower emissions while maintaining high reliability."