Pollution Will not be Cut from Pawnee Power Plant

Xcel claims that it will be reducing air pollution from the Pawnee power plant, a massive coal burning power plant located northeast of Denver. The claim is not entirely true.

In 2006, the Pawnee power plant releases 3,464 tons of nitrogen oxides. Nitrogen oxides contribute to smog pollution, form acid rain, and harm the lungs of children. The amount of nitrogen oxides released from the Pawnee power plant in 2006 was as much as the amount released by over 181,000 cars.

The Pawnee power plant emits nitrogen oxides at a rate of 0.21 pounds per million Btus of coal burned. Xcel is now claiming to "reduce" its nitrogen oxide by emitting 0.23 pounds per million Btus.

This is not a cut. This is an increase in pollution.

Xcel needs to get its math right. What's more, Xcel needs to significantly reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from the Pawnee power plant.