Environment > Recent Investments
Over the years, DP&L has invested millions to protect the environment and comply with regulations.
Prairie Restoration
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Prairie grass plantings will enhance local environments by converting turf areas on some of DP&L’s proprerty to prairie meadows.
The natural landscapes will:
- reduce noise and emissions caused by mowing
- provide an aesthetic, natural buffer between DP&L’s equipment and adjacent properties
- restore what had been prairie in the northeastern part of DP&L's service area prior to the settlement of Ohio
DP&L prepared 70 acres throughout the Miami Valley for prairie planting in 2009. As of late 2009, 35 acres had been planted in Montgomery, Greene and Darke counties.
DP&L is planting 1,000 acres total over the multiple-year project. |
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Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD)
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In 2008, we completed the final stage of a $600 million investment to install FGDs on 1,700 megawatts of coal-fired generation at Killen and Stuart Station power plants.
The FGDs:
- reduce sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions by approximately 95%
- help the company comply with environmental regulations
- capture significant mercury emissions (in conjunction with DP&L's existing electrostatic precipitators)
Commercial grade gypsum is a byproduct at both Killen and Stuart Stations. |
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Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)
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In 2004, the company invested $175 million in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) equipment to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
SCR equipment has reduced DP&L's NOx emissions by over 50%.
- Killen Station - approximately 65% reduction
- Stuart Station - approximately 80% reduction
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Electrostatic
Precipitators (ESPs)
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ESPs remove more than 99% of the fly ash coming from our boilers at these power plants:
- Hutchings Station in Miamisburg, OH
- Killen Station in Wrightsville, OH
- Stuart Station in Aberdeen, OH
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Hutchings Station
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Uses low-sulfur coal to ensure that sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions are minimal.
In 2006, low-nitrogen oxide (NOx) burners and over-fire air were installed on four boilers. Since then, NOx emission rates have been reduced by approximately 50% on a year-round basis.
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Combustion Turbines
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The combustion turbines at the Tait and Montpelier Stations use natural gas for fuel.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter emissions are at trace levels.
Dry low-nitrogen oxide (NOx) burners or water injection are used to reduce NOx emissions. This technology yields the lowest levels of NOx emissions in the DP&L system.
The combustion turbines use small quantities of well water. There is no withdrawal from or discharge to nearby streams, other than clean storm water flows during rain events.
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Water Sampling
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We work to protect the Great Miami and Ohio rivers with frequent sampling and compliance with Ohio EPA wastewater permits. |
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