Page 11 - ES&G report 2021 final

Associated also has gained “Low Emitting Gen-
erating Unit” status on some of its coal units, AECI reduces emissions
EnvironmentalAir meaning they emit less than 50% of the MATS 4.0
limit on particulate matter.
3.72
Using a boiler additive, to help reduce mercury
emissions. Mercury emissions dropped nearly 3.5
90% from 2008 levels.
Investments in air quality mean real results 3.0

Associated has been about the business of reducing air emissions for a long time. Associated has invested
more than $1 billion to improve air quality – and achieved significant results. The cooperative continues to 2.5
invest in air quality; environmental controls to improve air quality cost Associated about $45 million annually,
including fixed and operating costs.
2.0

1.5
1.23

1.0

0.5
0.25 0.28

0.0
1994 2020 1994 2020
Sulfur dioxide Nitrogen oxides
Pounds emitted per million Btu (coal and gas eet)

Thomas Hill Energy Center

Mercury declines

Associated was one of the first to convert to cleaner fuel, install
environmental equipment Not to care for that upon which 1000 pounds of mercury
we depend for our living, for the
Achievements include low NOx burners, “over-fire air” technologies implemented at coal units and converting reso urces entrusted to us, is simply
all coal units to low-sulfur coal, which has reduced sulfur dioxide emissions more than 90% since 1994. And 800
Associated was one of the first utilities to construct selective catalytic reduction equipment on large cyclone ridic ulous. The best environmental-
units, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions about 80% since 1994. ists are the people out there
depending on that land. 600
• Sulfur dioxide pounds emitted per million Btu dropped 93% from 3.72 in 1994 to 0.25 in 2020.
• Nitrogen oxides pounds emitted per million Btu dropped 78% from 1.23 in 1994 to 0.28 in 2020.
– O.B. Clark,
Invested in clean air retired Associated Electric board president 400
MATS limit
Low-sulfur coal also is lower in mercury. Associated further reduced mercury emissions with use of a refined 200
coal additive,equipment improvements and construction of activated carbon injection systems.
88
Mercury declined 89% from more than 800 pounds in 2010 to 88 pounds in 2020, about 60% below the Mer- 0
cury Air Toxics Standards (MATS) limit. 2008 2010 2012 2014 2018 2019 2020

ENVIRONMENTAL 9 ENVIRONMENTAL 10