Dive Brief:

• Idaho Power plans to spend $130 million to upgrade pollution-control equipment at the 2,112-megawatt (MW) Jim Bridger coal-fired plant near Rock Springs, Wyo.
• In an insert in the latest customer bills, the utility said coal will be a major source of electricity "for years to come," touting it as inexpensive and reliable.
• The utility has asked the Public Utilities Commission to deem the spending prudent so the cost could be passed on to customers. A hearing on the request is slated for Nov. 25.   

Dive Insight: 

Environmental critics argue that Idaho Power's spending on pollution controls is designed to comply with regional haze rules under the Clean Air Act. Zack Waterman, director of the Sierra Club's Boise office, said the $130 million “does not include the cost of complying with mercury, greenhouse gas or coal ash regulations that are coming down the pipe.” Idaho Power said other options, such as replacing its 1,000 MW of coal capacity with natural gas plants, would cost more than $1.2 billion.