Balancing energy reliability and affordability with clean air, land and water resources is important to Associated Electric Cooperative’s members and continues to be our focus. Since 2015, Associated and its members have invested more than $115 million to meet Coal Combustion Residuals and Effluent Limitation Guidelines issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, funding coal ash and water quality projects, including pond closures, water systems and groundwater quality monitoring.
Given that clean air, water and land resources mean so much to the rural electric cooperative members we serve, our commitment to environmental, social and governance responsibilities is characterized not only in words but also in deeds. Significant investments to protect these resources as we generate electricity for 2.1 million people are delivering meaningful environmental results. The model of member-ownership and leadership of our cooperative ensures our values reflect those who use our electricity.
Buster Geisdendorfer, president, Associated Electric Cooperative board of directors
Generation diversification means carbon emissions rate declines
Associated’s diversification of its resource mix has positively impacted carbon emissions. Overall, the cooperative’s carbon dioxide (C02) emissions per megawatt-hour produced has continued to decline. Since 2005, Associated has decreased its CO2 emissions rate 36.4%, a downward trend achieved through additional renewables, plant heat rate improvements and increased natural gas generation.
Investments in air quality mean real results
Associated has been about the business of reducing air emissions for a long time, investing more than $1 billion to improve air quality – and achieved significant results. The cooperative continues to invest in air quality; environmental controls to improve air quality cost Associated about $45 million annually, including fixed and operating costs.
Noteworthy accomplishments include:
- One of the first utilities to convert to 100% low-sulfur coal in 1994, reducing sulfur dioxide emissions 90%.
- One of the first utilities to install selective catalytic reduction (SCR) equipment, designed to reduce nitrogen oxides equipment more than 90% on large cyclone coal units.
- Voluntarily reduced mercury emissions years ahead of the compliance date by being the first to use a treated coal in cyclone units, and emissions remain well below required limits.
Protection of water quality
Water is a vital resource for power plant operations and Associated is committed to ensuring the quality of the water we use. At all of our plants, Associated fully complies with the Clean Water Act, which requires water and discharge permits, and Effluent Limitation Guidelines, which regulates the use and discharge of water in industrial and commercial facilities.
Primarily a cooling source, water used for generating electricity for our members comes from the Mississippi River; groundwater wells; purchased water supplies; and Thomas Hill Lake, which we built for our power plant. Once used for generation, water is returned to the source in as clean or better condition when it was withdrawn from the river or lake. This water, as well as all water that travels from Associated’s plants and grounds, receives ongoing monitoring to ensure its quality and compliance with environmental regulations.
Land stewardship protects habitat and wildlife
Associated was nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Interior for innovative and successful mine reclamation and restoration of the Bee Veer Mine near Macon, Missouri, twice earning their prestigious surface mining award.
The cooperative partners with the Missouri Department of Conservation to manage its acreage and lake at Thomas Hill Energy Center for fisheries and wildlife, including quarterly lake management meetings. An annual peregrine falcon conservation program at both Thomas Hill Energy Center and New Madrid Power Plant provides valuable nesting boxes and data on the threatened species.