RMCAA Secures Stronger Permit for Craig Power Plant

In response to comments from Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action and numerous citizens, the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division has agreed that a stronger air pollution permit is needed for Tri-State's coal burning power plant in Craig.

Last January, the Division proposed to issue a permit to Tri-State so that it could burn more coal and increase its pollution at one of its boilers in Craig. The permit, unfortunately, failed to require the best pollution controls to keep particulate pollution in check. Particulates from Tri-State's smokestacks are so small that they reach the very bottoms of our lungs when breathed in.

Tri-State's efforts to burn more coal are confusing, to say the least. The company has stated a commitment to integrating more renewable energy sources into its power generation and a commitment to energy efficiency and better demand-side management of consumption. Tri-State's move to burn more coal at its Craig power plant, especially given the health impacts of more coal smoke in the air, seems beyond comprehension.

In comments on the permit, Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action questioned the need for more coal burning and the lack of best available pollution controls. The Division responded and agreed to strengthen two key provisions of the permit:

1. The Division agreed that stronger limits on particulate pollution were needed. The permit now limits particulate pollution to between 14 and 20% less than what was originally proposed.
2. The Division agreed that stronger limits on opaciy, or the thickness of the coal smoke, were needed. The permit now limits opacity to no more than 10%, lower than the originally proposed 20%. This represents a 50% increase the protection afforded by the pollution permit.

The pollution permit is by no means perfect, but it's a good step forward, and it couldn't have happened without the support and comments of citizens.