Environmental alliance cites Nevada Power plants

Wednesday, June 4, 1997 | 10:33 a.m.

Company officials say they doubt the accuracy of the figures used by the Clean Air Alliance. The figures were based on a report by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit research organization in Washington, D.C.

The report says Nevada Power's Clark Station and its coal-fired power plant in Moapa each released 845 tons of sulfur dioxide in 1995 and more than 3,500 tons of nitrogen oxides in 1994.

The figures rank Nevada Power's plants third behind Southern California Edison's Mohave Generating Station at Laughlin and Sierra Pacific Power's plant in Reno.

The report was compiled from data from state and federal environmental agencies.

Nevada Power is co-owner of the Mohave Generating Station and receives 14 percent of its output, which accounts for as much as 10 percent of the power used in the Las Vegas Valley.

Nevada Power spokesman Tom Henley said the Clark Station emits only one or two tons of sulfur dioxide per year and operates primarily on clean-burning natural gas.

Jolaine Johnson, air quality bureau chief for the state Environmental Protection Division, said Nevada Power has a good track record and complies with its permits.