Duke Energy Corp. will spend about $93 million to settle clean air violations – including payment to Connecticut — at a coal-fired power plant in southern Indiana where unauthorized changes significantly boosted air pollution, the federal government said.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said the consent decree filed in federal court in Indianapolis will end its decade-old lawsuit against Duke, a suit three Eastern states affected by pollution wafting far beyond the Louisville, Ky., area later joined.
Under the proposed settlement, the EPA said Duke Energy will spend $85 million to cut sulfur dioxide emissions at its Gallagher plant near New Albany, Ind., by nearly 35,000 tons per year. Duke said the upgrades will cost about $80 million.
The EPA said the changes will cut sulfur dioxide emissions 86 percent from last year’s levels at the plant directly across the Ohio River from Louisville.
“As a result of this enforcement action, Duke will make large cuts in air pollution, which means cleaner air and better health for the millions of people living in communities downwind of this plant,” said Cynthia Giles, an EPA assistant administrator for enforcement.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Duke will also pay a $1.75 million civil penalty to resolve violations of federal clean air laws and spend $6.25 million on environmental mitigation projects. Those include a total of $1 million for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. (AP)
