WE'RE COMMITTED TO CLEAN ENERGY
That's why we're working hard to reduce carbon output by 80%.
Find Out HowWe're reducing carbon output by 80%, which is a big deal...
Here's how we plan to hit that goal by 2050: We're building four new wind sites to serve Kansas and Missouri. This addition of 660 megawatts of wind energy is the equivalent to powering 200,000 homes a year. On top of giving you access to cleaner, more reliable and cost-effective energy, the wind projects will also create a $180 million economic benefit to the region, including hundreds of construction and clean energy jobs.
Take a look at our sustainability report to further share our plans and progress toward this transition. The report highlights green initiatives, provides transparency into corporate governance and demonstrates our commitment to natural resources and our employees.
We made a promise to reduce impact, and we're keeping that promise every day. Here's how:
- Half of the power currently supplied by Evergy comes from clean sources, creating more reliable energy with less impact to the environment
- We employ 25 environmental experts, including 17 biologists
- We've reduced emissions to ensure our generating facilities are cleaner than regulations require
- We've invested over $1.8 billion to improve air quality since 2005
- Our conservation efforts save over 900 million gallons of water annually
- We partner with environmental groups to improve access to enjoy to our natural resources
These are just a few, key ways we consistently work to reduce our impact and pledge to continue reducing our impact on the environment. We also operate some of the cleanest and most efficient coal-fired plants in the country.
Air quality
We are working to reduce emissions with the best available technology. For example, our Iatan 2 plant emits 1.3 million tons less carbon dioxide annually than the U.S. average for coal plants. And after the completion of retrofits to La Cygne, 72% of our coal fleet will have emission-reducing scrubbers installed. See below for more information about our efforts at specific plants.
- A super-critical steam boiler allows for maximum efficiency, using 10% less fuel and generating 10% lower emissions than typical coal-fired facilities.
- State-of-the-art air quality controls reduce overall emissions. The facility emits 1.3 million tons less carbon dioxide annually than the U.S. average for coal plants.
- A zero liquid discharge unit minimizes wastewater production through evaporation and reuse.
- POWER Magazine named Iatan 2 as the 2011 Plant of the Year, citing the innovation, collaboration and expertise evident on the project.
- When the project is complete, La Cygne will have the best available emission-reducing technology.
- The project includes the installation of two wet scrubbers and a selective catalytic reduction system.
- Once these improvements are complete, 72% of our coal fleet will have emission-reducing scrubbers installed.
- The project took advantage of best-available control technology to dramatically lower air emissions.
- Air quality control equipment included an SCR system for NOx (nitrogen oxide) reduction, dry FGD for SO2 (sulfur dioxide) control and a pulse jet fabric filter for particulate control.
As the proud recipient of the 2014 Edison Award, the electric power industry's most prestigious honor, for engineering and constructing a full-scale wetland to treat wastewater at Jeffrey Energy Center, we rebuilt and upgraded the flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems on each of the plant's three units, resulting in a 97-percent reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions.
- Recognizing the need to improve the treatment of discharged wastewater from the FGD process, we sought a natural and cost-effective way to ensure the plant's wastewater met our high environmental standards.
- Created expected savings of $40 million over 15 years in capital and operational costs that will also benefit customers.
Lawrence Energy Center (LEC) consists of two operational coal fired electric generating units located in Lawrence, Kansas adjacent to the Kansas River. Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) associated with burning coal include bottom ash, fly ash, and flue gas desulfurization materials (FGD). CCR, along with minor amounts of other miscellaneous waste, are currently placed in an on-site active combustion byproduct landfill located on LEC property. This combustion byproduct landfill is permitted under Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Bureau of Waste Management (BWM), Permit No. 847.
