Inspecting New Monitoring Equipment…

Oklahoma State Representative Dr. Doug Cox (District 5) recently toured the Grand River Dam Authority's Coal Fired Complex (Chouteau) to see the new mercury emissions monitoring equipment currently being installed on the chimney of Unit 2. Last August, the GRDA Board of Directors approved the project to install the equipment, which should be completed by the end of July. That schedule will mean the GRDA monitors are in place well ahead of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandate of December 31, 2008.

"The tour of the Coal Fired Complex and the new monitoring equipment was very impressive," said Rep. Cox. "I appreciate the fact that GRDA is moving forward, so aggressively, with this project. The EPA has put a high priority on mercury emissions in recent years and collecting data is the very important first step."

In the early 1990s, GRDA installed state-of-the-art continuous emissions monitoring equipment (CEMS) at the facility, which provides data round-the-clock to the EPA. However, this new equipment will focus strictly on mercury emissions and "when its in place it will simply mean that more real-time data from the CFC is available to the EPA," said Barney.

Completing the installation well ahead of the EPA deadline has been a top priority, added GRDA Chief Executive Officer Kevin Easley. "It was an aggressive time table, but GRDA has been a leader in environmental rule compliance throughout its history. With this new monitoring system in place, we fully expect to maintain that reputation in the years to come."

Oklahoma State Representative Dr. Doug Cox (District 5) looks over the new mercury emissions monitoring equipment currently being installed on the Unit 2 chimney at the Grand River Dam Authority Coal Fired Complex (Chouteau). GRDA plans to have the equipment in place and operable by the end of July; well ahead of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA deadline of December 31, 20008.

 

Oklahoma State Representative Dr. Doug Cox (center, District 5) and GRDA Chief Operating Officer Mike Kiefner (right) listen to GRDA Assistant General Manager of Thermal Generation Charles Barney's overview of the new mercury emissions monitoring equipment currently being installed at the GRDA Coal Fired Complex.

 

 

 

Grand River Dam Authority Photo Release

Contact: Justin Alberty
Corporate Communications Director
Grand River Dam Authority
(918) 256 5545
jalberty@grda.com
www.grda.com

For immediate release: 7/1/08