El Paso Electric fined for air violations


CSA Z463 Electrical Maintenance -

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$249
Coupon Price:
$199
Reserve Your Seat Today
A state district court approved a settlement that requires Texas-based El Paso Electric Co. to pay a $250,000 penalty for air quality violations at its power plant in southern New Mexico.

The settlement also requires El Paso Electric to provide $275,000 for supplemental environmental projects, including the installation of a flue gas recirculation system to reduce emissions at the Rio Grande Electric Power Generating Station.

Environment Secretary Ron Curry said the agreement, known as a consent decree, is designed to provide safeguards to protect regional air quality.

"We fought to ensure the company invests in supplemental environmental projects that will directly benefit the residents of Dona Ana County by providing for the reduction of harmful air pollution in the area," Curry said.

The agreement also calls for El Paso Electric to tune up its boilers at the plant. However, that's something the utility was planning as part of its annual maintenance, said Andy Ramirez, vice president for power generation.

The Environment Department filed a complaint against El Paso Electric last fall, alleging the plant exceeded emission rates for nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide.

But El Paso Electric argued that the plant was not in violation. Ramirez said the utility and the state differed in their interpretations of the emission limits and the calibration of the plant's equipment.

Ramirez said the consent decree spells out what is required at the plant to prevent any future disagreements.

The plant's three units can generate 246 MW of electricity. They run primarily on natural gas, but fuel oil is stored at the site as a backup.

Related News

Power Outages to Mitigate Wildfire Risks

Colorado Wildfire Power Shutoffs reduce ignition risk through PSPS, grid safety protocols, data-driven forecasts, and…
View more

Ontario Supports Plan to Safely Continue Operating the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station

Pickering Nuclear Generating Station Refurbishment will enable OPG to deliver reliable, clean electricity in Ontario,…
View more

Ontario faces growing electricity supply gap, study finds

Ontario Electricity Capacity Gap threatens reliability as IESO forecasts shortfalls from the Pickering shutdown and…
View more

DBRS Confirms Ontario Power Generation Inc. at A (low)/R-1 (low), Stable Trends

OPG Credit Rating affirmed by DBRS at A (low) issuer and unsecured debt, R-1 (low)…
View more

When will the US get 1 GW of offshore wind on the grid?

U.S. Offshore Wind Capacity is set to exceed 1 GW by 2024, driven by BOEM…
View more

Americans aren't just blocking our oil pipelines, now they're fighting Hydro-Quebec's clean power lines

Champlain Hudson Power Express connects Hydro-Québec hydropower to the New York grid via a 1.25…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified