Air quality in the Pikes Peak region and Colorado Springs Utilities' power plants meet all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards.

In addition, the community-owned utility teamed up with Colordo Springs-based Neumann Systems Group in 2007 to begin testing innovative clean technology to reduce emissions and comply with stricter EPA emissions control rules at cost much lower than conventional power plant emissions technology.

By early 2008, testing was underway and yielding promising results for removal of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulates from flue gas at the Martin Drake Power Plant. Larger capacity (20 megawatt) tests for SO2 removal were conducted in 2009 and 2010. Each stage of testing proved NSG’s NeuStreamTM technology could reliably remove 95 percent or more of sulfur emissions.

Highly qualified utility industry organizations conducted independent measurement programs validating the results. One of the utility industry organizations did an independent cost analysis showing the substantial potential for cost savings of the NeuStreamTM technology relative to conventional technologies. 

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Air Quality Division followed the progress on the NeuStreamTM technology for over three years before modifying the State Implementation Plan to allow use of a NeuStreamTM system at Drake for desulfurization purposes.

In 2011, Springs Utilities signed an agreement with NSG to design and install full-scale emissions control equipment at the power plant. Partnering with this local company, we expect to avoid up to $100 million in emissions control costs at our coal-fired power plants over the next several years. Installation will begin in 2012.