Officials: No new air pollution controls needed at Duke’s Cliffside plant

The Charlotte Observer has the story:

State officials tentatively agreed Tuesday that Duke Energy’s expanded Cliffside power plant needs no additional air-pollution controls – a blow to environmentalists challenging the project.

Because of their massive size, coal-fired plants are major sources of mercury and other toxic substances. Control of those emissions is the focus of a federal lawsuit over Cliffside in which rulings two weeks ago went against Duke.

But the N.C. Division of Air Quality says it agrees with Duke that releases of dozens of hazardous chemicals will be smaller than first calculated. The plant is 50 miles west, and often upwind, of Charlotte.

Category: Asheville News