New York coal-fired power plants to cut emissions

WESTERN NEW YORK - New York state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and Gov. George Pataki announced two landmark agreements aimed at sharply reducing emissions at six upstate coal-fired power plants.

NRG Energy Inc., which operates two plants in western New York, will install new pollution controls, switch to cleaner-burning, low-sulfur coal and shut down four inefficient and old units at one of its coal plants. AES, which owns plants in Corning, Johnson City and Bainbridge, agreed to similar changes, and will pay $1 million to support energy efficiency and clean-air projects.

The provisions of the settlements will cut emissions of nitrogen oxide by more than 18,000 tons a year - the equivalent of removing 2.5 million cars from the state's roads, according to a statement from the two officials. They will also reduce the emissions of sulfur dioxide by more than 123,000 tons per year - the equivalent of removing every diesel truck and bus operating nationwide, according to the statement.