Exelon Generation’s environmental vision mirrors that of the corporation: Constantly improving our environmental performance. Exelon Power is committed to setting measurable goals, achieving credible results and implementing cost-effective environmental improvements.
Greenhouse Gases
Exelon Corporation, as a member of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Leaders Partnership, is developing a corporate-wide inventory of the six major greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N20), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), hydroflurocarbons (HFC), and perflurocarbons (PFC)) as well as a customized emissions reduction goal. Exelon Power’s facilities are included in this inventory and emit approximately 90% of the greenhouse gases produced by Exelon.
As a participant in the US Department of Energy’s 1605b Program, Exelon Corporation reported 33 greenhouse gas reduction initiatives in 2002, totaling an avoidance of 7.1 million tons of CO2-equivalent emissions. Exelon Power’s operation of the Conowingo and Muddy Run hydro facilities, as well as its landfill gas production plants, contributed to these avoidances.
Methane
Since 1997 the emission displaced by the use of landfill gas (methane) at the Fairless Hills and Pennsbury landfill gas generating plants equate to 838,372 tons of Carbon Dioxide.
Methane, a greenhouse gas, traps over 21 times more heat per molecule than carbon dioxide. This multiple of heat as compared to carbon dioxide is referred to as global warming potential. The use of methane as a fuel source is a cost-effective means to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Sulfur Dioxide
Since the early 1980s, the company’s Eddystone and Cromby coal burning units in suburban Philadelphia have been equipped with magnesium oxide scrubbers to remove sulfur dioxide from their emissions. Burning low sulfur coal with up to a 90 percent scrubber removal capacity has resulted in low sulfur dioxide emissions.
Nitrogen Oxide
Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) systems have been installed at Eddystone and Cromby. They are expected to reduce NOx emissions between 25 and 40 percent. Combined with the installation of low NOx burners in the mid 1990s, the total NOx reduction at the plants is projected at 70 percent.
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems have been installed at the company’s Texas generating stations, Handley and Mountain Creek. They are expected to reduce NOx emissions by 90 percent.
Combustion Byproducts
Exelon Generation is committed to reusing fly ash, bottom ash, and basin ash and flu gas desulfurization products from its fossil generating stations. Coal combustion byproducts uses include restoring land contours at coal mine reclamation sites, antiskid agents for icy roads, and the production of citrus fertilizer and as a waste stabilization medium
In 2004, Exelon Generation coal-fired plants produced 153,000 tons of ash. Again, 100 percent of the ash was reused.