For Immediate Release
December 5, 2006
Contact:
Joe Pittman
(724) 357-0151
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Statement of Senator Don White
Lauding Reliant Energy Management Company for scrubber plan pact

"I am extremely pleased the Department of Environmental Protection has approved Reliant Energy Management Company's proposal to install scrubbers at its Keystone Power Plant in Armstrong County. I support this effort and I commend Reliant and its partners for taking this initiative. This action, along with the recent installation of a scrubber at the Homer City power plant a few years ago, are laudable examples of efforts by energy producers to willingly take strong environmentally-friendly steps to protect the health and safety of our communities. Energy production is a key part of our community as it provides good-paying, family sustaining jobs. Therefore, it's very gratifying to see Reliant Energy and its partners make this important investment which should enhance the long-term stability of the Keystone facility, while maintaining and creating jobs in both the short and  long term."

NOTE: Reliant Energy Management Company plans to install wet flue gas desulphurization systems (also known as "scrubbers") on each of its two boilers at the Keystone Plant in Plumcreek Township, Armstrong County. The DEP estimates that the system will cut 170,000 tons of sulfur dioxide and 1,600 tons of particulate matter from the Keystone Plant's emissions annually.