Rio Tinto Kennecott shutting down three coal-burning power units

07 November 2016

Air along the Wasatch Front is going to get a lot cleaner thanks to a new deal between Rocky Mountain Power and Rio Tinto Kennecott.

Rio Tinto Kennecott has been burning coal and generating much of its own power for decades. But under the state’s plan to clean up the air Kennecott’s coal-burning power units had to be shut down by January of 2018. So they’ve been at the negotiating table with Rocky Mountain Power for the last several years to come up with a power purchasing plan both parties could agree on.

The Utah Public Service commission approved the nine-year contract last week.  Under the plan, Rio Tinto Kennecott is shutting down three coal-burning power units and keeping the fourth one to self-generate power if needed.

Rio Tinto Kennecott Spokesperson Kyle Bennett explained, “For us it allows us to buy power, provides us a long-term reliable source of power for our operation which is really important, and for Rocky Mountain Power it allows us to be on the system. That’s very important so they can have a base load they can plan for and budget around.”

By Rocky Mountain Power being able to count on Kennecott remaining a customer for another nine years. it doesn’t just mean cleaner air it also means stable electricity rates for everyone.

Rocky Mountain Power Spokesperson Paul Murphy said, “Kennecott is the biggest user of electricity in the state of Utah and so when they pay their bill they’re also paying part of the fixed costs to provide electricity to everybody. So the fact that they’re going to be receiving electricity from Rocky Mountain Power it’s going to help all other customers as well.”

Source – Good4Utah