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EPA FINES NEVADA COGENERATION ASSOCIATES $200,000 FOR AIR VIOLATIONS

Release Date: 7/1/1999
Contact Information: Lois Grunwald, U.S. EPA, (415) 744-1588

                         
     SAN FRANCISCO--The Environmental Protection Agency today announced it has fined Nevada Cogeneration Associates $200,000 for the late installation of equipment to reduce air pollutant emissions from its two facilities near Las Vegas.

     "The battle for clean air is far from over and companies must take the proper steps to reduce  pollutants and protect air quality in the Las Vegas Valley," said Dave Howekamp, EPA regional Air Division director.

     Nevada Cogeneration Associates violated the Clean Air Act by failing to install devices to reduce levels of nitrogen oxides from its gas-fired turbines and heat recovery boilers. The company needed to install the pollution-reduction technology because its facilities are major sources of nitrogen oxides in an air basin that currently meets air quality laws for this pollutant. The controls are needed to help the area continue to meet healthful clean air goals for nitrogen oxides.  

     EPA issued a notice of violation and complaint against the facility in 1996 for failing to install the controls. EPA reached an agreement in principle with the company in 1997, and recently worked out the final details of the agreement. Since that time, Nevada Cogeneration has installed the necessary controls at its two facilities. A consent decree requiring the penalty and controls was lodged  June 29 with the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.