Emission control retrofits
Reductions in the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are part of AEP’s ongoing strategy to comply with the Clean Air Act, Title IV regulations, the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and will assist in compliance with the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR). Investments to retrofit advanced emission control technologies onto existing power plants are a central element in AEP’s compliance strategy.

Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) removes SO2 from flue gas streams, while NOx emissions are mitigated by combustion controls such as low NOx burners (LNBs) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. The company plans to invest approximately $3.9 billion in FGD, SCR and other air pollution control retrofits by 2010 to reduce emissions of NOx and SO2 significantly. In order to comply with new regulations, an additional benefit of this investment will be a reduction in mercury emissions.