Idaho Power May Invest in Pollution Control for its Coal Plants

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Power is studying whether to spend $500 million or more in pollution-control equipment for coal plants it partially owns Wyoming and Nevada. The Idaho Statesman reports the power company must decide whether to put its money into aging plants in other states.

Idaho conservationists are lobbying for the money to be invested in the state. Idaho Power owns a third of three coal plants near Rock Springs, Wyo., and half of two plants near Valmy, Nev.

President Barack Obama said in his second inaugural address that he would seek to reduce the carbon emissions that power plants are allowed to produce. The coal plants Idaho Power uses also have to upgrade environmental controls on pollutants ranging from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide to mercury and fly ash.