Upgrades reason for Wyoming rate increase
The improvements by PacifiCorp, which operates in Wyoming as Rocky Mountain Power, are part of environmental improvements the utility is undertaking throughout its sixstate region.
In Wyoming, improvements also are planned or underway at Rocky Mountain Powers Dave Johnston plant at Glenrock and the Naughton plant outside Kemmerer.
Theyre part of the reason why Rocky Mountain Power is seeking a $35 million rate increase in Wyoming that would add nearly 14 percent to customers electricity rates. The proposal is pending before the Wyoming Public Service Commission.
State Sen. Cale Case, RLander, has filed as an intervening party to the rate case.
They will be back. I feel its kind of frustrating, like youre painting the ship while its in motion, Case said.
But even if the commission approves the increase, the utility plans to return with another rate increase proposal for 2011. In coming years, PacifiCorp expects to ask customers to share the cost of improving the grid to tap wind energy.
As these projects are brought into service, the company will request approval to begin including their costs in the prices customers pay for electricity, said Rocky Mountain Power spokesman Jeff Hymas.
That includes the current rate and additional requests over several years, he said.
Improvements to the Unit 1 boiler at the Jim Bridger plant include a new Hitachi generator shaft to increase efficiency and reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.
Anything you do for efficiency, you reduce emissions, said Paul Fahlsing, the plants engineering and environmental manager.
By the end of 2014, PacifiCorp expects to retrofit 16 units at power plants with lownitrogen oxides burners, sulfur dioxide scrubbers and fabric bag houses to capture particulate matter.
Related News
Hydro once made up around half of Alberta's power capacity. Why does Alberta have so little now?
CALGARY - When you think about renewable energy sources on the Prairies, your mind may go to the wind farms in southern Alberta, or even the Travers Solar Project, southeast of Calgary.
Most of the conversation around renewable energy in the province is dominated by advancements in solar and wind power.
But what about Canada's main source of electricity — hydro power?
More than half of Canada's electricity is generated from hydro sources, with 632.2 terawatt-hours produced as of 2019. That makes it the fourth largest installed capacity of hydropower in the world.
But in Alberta, it's a different story.
…
