New clean air equipment has been installed at the Labadie Energy Center in Franklin County, demonstrating Ameren Missouri’s commitment to improving air quality and being a good steward of the environment.
As a critical upgrade, the electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) represent a $185 million investment by the company, providing a step forward for meeting the Environmental Protection Agency’s Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS), which by 2016 seeks to reduce emissions at energy generation facilities throughout the United States.
Work on the first ESP was completed in June, and it was put into service in August. Work on the second ESP was completed in early December. Testing is in progress and will be completed by Dec. 31.
To benefit customers, Ameren Missouri is making investments for new environmental controls to make air cleaner and comply with strict federal emissions standards,” said David Strubberg, director of the Labadie Energy Center. “Although we meet current guidelines, the precipitators we’ve installed have new technology that will allow us to further reduce particulate emissions, exceeding the new federal air quality requirements that take effect in 2016.
The new equipment replaces two older precipitators, which use electric charges to prevent particles from getting into the exhaust stacks and going into the air.
Installation of the clean air filtration system is part of a multi-phase plan over the next two years to ensure the company’s largest generating facility, which provides 40 percent of the electricity in the St. Louis metropolitan area, remains in full compliance with federal air quality requirements.
Ameren Missouri is an industry leader in the reduction of emissions while minimizing the impact on energy prices,” Strubberg said. “Labadie’s efficient operations help provide affordable electricity for our customers, which is one reason why Ameren Missouri’s electric rates are 17 percent below the average of Midwest states and the lowest of investor-owned utilities in Missouri.
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Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 127,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities including the greater St. Louis area. For more information please visit AmerenMissouri.com or follow Ameren Missouri on Facebook or Twitter.