The company said late last week that the scrubber and baghouse system placement at Unit 5 would reduce emissions by about 90% and significantly reduce fine particulate matter.
Edgewater has been online since 1985.
“Edgewater Unit 5 has always been a strong and efficient energy source for WPL customers,” WPL president John Larsen said.
“Installing these additional emission controls positions it to continue that service and deliver on our environmental commitment as we transition our generating fleet to meet our customers' energy needs in a safe, reliable and cost effective manner.”
The utility plans to start building the project next year, and expects it will be placed in service in 2016. Up to 400 jobs could be created at the complex during peak construction.
WPL, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy, settled with the US EPA and environmental group the Sierra Club. Under that deal it agreed to stop burning coal at two of its oldest coal-fired boilers at Sheboygan.
It also said it would shutter its Cassville plant as part of the settlement.
“This settlement will improve air quality in Wisconsin and downwind areas by significantly reducing releases of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and other harmful pollutants,” Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division assistant attorney general Ignacia Moreno said late last month.
“This agreement also demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to enforcing the New Source Review provisions of the Clean Air Act, which help ensure clean air for those communities affected by large sources of air pollution.”
