Utilities seek delay in cutting mercury emissions

According to today's issue of Finance & Commerce, Minnesota Power in Duluth and Xcel Energy have requested nine-month extensions for coal-burning plants in the state because they anticipate EPA changes  in mercury-emission requirements. The utilities filed the requests with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

Xcel Energy wants to use the extra time to measure decreasing mercury at its Sherco Unit 3 burner in Becker and correct "spikes" in mercury emissions at boiler start-up. The mercury emissions from Sherco Unit 3 were less than one-fourth the 2009 levels but more than twice the 90 percent reduction target.

Minnesota Power also wants the extra time to measure emissions at its 38-year-old plant in Cohasset.

Both utilities originally submitted their requests in December with the Public Utilities Commission which will consider them this Thursday.