TVA Invests in Scrubber at Bull Run To Further Improve Air Quality
June 15, 2005
CLINTON, Tenn. – TVA will make an additional investment to further improve regional air quality by removing more than 90 percent of sulfur dioxide emissions from Bull Run Fossil Plant when a $300-million project to install a scrubber is completed by the end of the decade.
Officials from the state of Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Anderson County joined the TVA Board today at a ceremony at the plant to celebrate the huge construction project now under way and its contribution to continuing the trend of improving air quality in the region.
Work began on the project earlier this year, and the scrubber is expected to be in operation by 2009. During construction of the scrubber, as many as 300 jobs will be created, having a positive impact on the local economy.
“TVA has installed emission control equipment at Bull Run to reduce nitrogen oxides that contribute to the formation of ozone, so this project is the next big step for this plant in our $5.6 billion clean-air program,” said TVA Director Skila Harris. “Bull Run has been recognized as one of the most efficient operating plants in the nation for the past 10 years. We are proud of our employees’ accomplishments at this plant and know it will continue to operate reliably and competitively while helping improve air quality.”
The scrubber, or flue gas desulfurization system, is designed to remove SO2 emissions in the flue gas released from the plant. Reduction of sulfur dioxide emissions lessens the formation of acid rain and reduces the formation of fine particles that contribute to regional haze and visibility impairment.
“The air in East Tennessee is cleaner today than it has been in our lifetime, and it will be cleaner in the future as TVA continues to do its part for clean air,” said TVA Director Bill Baxter. “We have already reduced sulfur dioxide emissions by more than 78 percent across the Tennessee Valley while continuing to provide affordable, reliable power. Adding a scrubber at Bull Run will reduce those emissions even more.”
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke, Great Smoky Mountain National Park Air Specialist Jim Renfro and Anderson County Mayor Rex Lynch participated in the ceremony, which included the unveiling of a new sign announcing TVA’s commitment to continued emissions reductions to improve regional air quality. The sign will be placed at the plant entrance.
TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely selffinanced. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.5 million consumers in seven southeastern states.
Media Contact
Barbara Martocci, Knoxville, (865) 632-8632
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000
