Opponents Say Mandated Scrubbers Are Too Expensive

A 2006 state law required Public Service Company of New Hampshire to install a scrubber at its coal-fired power plant in Bow.
The scrubber is designed to cut mercury emissions by 80-percent and sulfur emissions by more than 90-percent…
But the project’s cost has increased more than 80-percent to 457-million dollars, and that cost would be passed on to ratepayers.
The PUC determined last month that they had no authority to supersede the law and decide whether the cost of the technology was in the public’s interest.
In light of that, Stonyfield Farm, H&L Instruments, and Great American Dining – which manages the Common Man chain of restaurants - are asking the PUC for a new review.
Stonyfield Farm CEO Gary Hirshberg says he thinks it’s prudent.
Gary 5 “my question and that of my fellow ratepayers is at a price tag at a half a billion dollars are there other things we could do with these funds, that might affectively move us to true climate change reductions.”

Hirshberg says he’s not opposed to the scrubber technology itself but he says continuing to operate a 40 year old coal plant isn’t the best way to reduce global warming.
5:04 there will be still be additional burdens placed on it, still produce 25 pounds of mercury a year – and so we believe several hundred million dollars of additional costs 5:18
If the PUC approves the motion by the ratepayers, it could delay the project for several months.
PSNH spokesman Martin Murray.
“We’re disappointed that at this late date any party would want to halt the project, the law that requires the emission project at Merrimack station is a result of a very long, very collaborative process that began in 2002 when we passed the clean power act.”
The 2006 law says the scrubber has to be installed by 2013, and Murray says any delay will only increase costs.
PSNH plans to file an objection.
:53 the bottom line is that mercury and sulfur dioxide emissions will be significantly reduced and we’ll continue to benefit as a state from an economical power plant, at a time when the cost of energy is growing and growing.
Once the objection is filed, the PUC will have ten days to make a decision.
A denial could also be appealed to the Supreme Court.
For NHPR news, I’m Amy Quinton.