By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – In a legal settlement with the EPA, a Houston-based energy company has agreed to reduce pollution at its power plants in Illinois.
The government claimed Illinois Power upgraded a coal plant near St. Louis without installing new pollution controls.
That plant in Ballwin, Illinois and four others now belong to Houston-based Dynegy.
Spokesman David Byford says the facilities likely will surpass proposed emissions requirements.
"The power plant modifications are expected to meet or exceed anticipated federal environmental requirements under the Bush Administration's proposed clean air interstate rule," Byford said.
The upgrades will cost a half billion dollars. A plant in the Metro East community of Wood River is also included.