The Tennessee Valley Authority cut smog-causing emissions from its coal-fired power plants at a faster rate than most U.S. utilities over the past two decades, according to new data released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
TVA emissions of sulfur dioxide dropped by 82 percent from 1990 to 2009, compared with a 64 percent drop in such emissions nationwide in the same period, the EPA said.
The EPA study shows emissions of nitrogen oxides from TVA coal plants fell by nearly 86 percent from 1990 to 2009, compared with a 77 percent drop in such emissions among all utilities.
Anda Ray, TVA’s senior vice president for environment and technology, said the federal utility has spent more than $5 billion since 1977 to install emission controls on nearly half of TVA’s coal plants.
“That investment is paying off by allowing us to produce low-cost power in a manner that meets federal guidelines,” Ray said.