EKPC has proposed ductwork to tie Cooper Unit 1 to the circulating dry scrubber of Unit 2 at the Burnside complex, which was installed in 2012 at a cost of $225 million.

Unit 1, meanwhile, has been left vulnerable to strengthening federal air rules and could be in line for idle in 2015 unless compliant modifications are made.

The cooperative said it would request a certificate of convenience and necessity from the Kentucky Public Service Commission for the project.

“EKPC is proposing what we believe is a very reasonable investment to extend the life of a reliable generating unit,” president and chief executive officer Tony Campbell said.

“We believe this will benefit our cooperative, the … community and our owner-members.”

Cooper Unit 1 came online in 1965 and has a 116-megawatt capacity.

Once added to Cooper Unit 2, total output could go as high as 300MW.

The plant is fueled primarily by Kentucky coal.

EKPC said it had so far received more than 100 proposals from 65 bidders to construct the tie.