HELPER, Utah (AP) — One of Utah's smallest power plants will close next year because of new federal limits on mercury emissions.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports (https://bit.ly/1cN0AH3) the Carbon Power Plant near Helper is being slated for early retirement after 60 years.
Rocky Mountain Power says the plant's location inside a tight canyon doesn't leave enough room for emissions controls that are being required of coal-fired power plants.
The utility would need to add a "bag house" to filter toxin-bearing particulates from the exhaust stacks.
Utah and Rocky Mountain Power will still rely heavily on coal-fired power — it accounts for 60 percent of the utility's generating output. Utilities are increasingly turning to cleaner-burning natural gas to make electricity.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, https://www.sltrib.com/