Kan. Utility Plans $380M In Pollution Upgrades

JOHN HANNA

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Westar Energy Inc. announced plans Wednesday to spend up to $380 million upgrading pollution control systems on its coal-fired power plant outside Lawrence.

The Topeka-based utility said the new equipment will reduce emissions of mercury, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter. It expects construction work to begin next year and to finish by 2013, creating about 350 jobs.

Spokeswoman Erin LaRow said the upgrades are in keeping with a climate change policy that Westar announced nearly two years ago, in which it promised to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also, she said, the utility needs to keep up with federal environmental standards. ...