HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dynegy Inc. (NYSE: DYN) is today reusing 80% of its coal combustion byproducts and is on track to recycle 100% by 2020. Reusing these materials, which are used to make concrete, drywall, and other construction materials, significantly offsets the amount of carbon dioxide that would be emitted into the atmosphere by other industries.
The beneficial reuse of coal combustion byproducts is part of Dynegy’s commitment to environmental sustainability, which includes the Company’s initial compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Coal Combustion Residuals Rule (CCR rule). At all of Dynegy’s power plants subject to the CCR rule, the Company has conducted initial groundwater monitoring in the vicinity of surface impoundments where coal combustion byproducts are stored. Public access to this data is available in the CCR Compliance section of www.dynegy.com.
Over the next several months, Dynegy will be validating initial groundwater monitoring results. If statistically significant increases over background levels are confirmed, assessment monitoring as required by the CCR rule will be used to determine if the surface impoundment is impacting groundwater. Dynegy will take appropriate corrective action to address groundwater impacts caused by our surface impoundments to ensure that public health and the environment are protected. Actions may include the beneficial reuse of coal combustion byproducts from surface impoundments, as well as the closure of surface impoundments, to provide long-term protection of groundwater resources.
In Illinois, where most of the Company’s coal-fueled fleet is located, Dynegy has already filed notices of intent with the Illinois EPA to safely and permanently close 13 surface impoundments located at Dynegy’s Baldwin, Hennepin, Wood River, Coffeen, and Duck Creek facilities. At the retired Vermilion facility, Dynegy is working with state and federal regulatory agencies to provide long-term protection of surface impoundments and the adjacent Middle Fork of the Vermilion River. Currently, groundwater studies are being conducted for the Illinois EPA that would be used in a comprehensive surface impoundment closure plan that offers long-term protection of groundwater resources and the river.
In addition, Dynegy’s commitment to environmental sustainability includes:
- An 18% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from Dynegy’s power generation fleet since 2014.
- An investment of $2 billion in its Illinois coal-fueled power generation plants, resulting in a sulfur dioxide (SO2) reduction of 90%, with significant reductions in nitrogen oxide (NOx) and other emissions.
- Retail supply offers of up to 100% renewable power through the Company’s retail business, which serves approximately 1.2 million residential and business customers in Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
- One of the largest private reforestation projects developed exclusively to reduce CO2, planting nine million trees on more than 45,000 acres across eight states in the Mississippi River Valley. This initiative offsets more than 100,000 metric tons of CO2 per year.
“Dynegy’s commitment to environmental sustainability extends from new investments in power plants and technologies to taking responsibility for retired plants that in some cases pre-date Dynegy’s ownership,” said Dynegy President and Chief Executive Officer Robert C. Flexon. “We also support sustainability in our communities by providing good-paying jobs, significant direct and indirect economic benefits, and a substantial tax base.”
About Dynegy
Throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Texas, and California, Dynegy operates nearly 28,000 megawatts (MW) of power generating facilities capable of producing enough energy to supply more than 23 million American homes. Through our retail business, we serve approximately 1.2 million customers who depend on reliable, affordable energy to grow and thrive.
Forward-Looking Statement
This news release contains statements reflecting assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events that are intended as “forward-looking statements,” particularly those statements concerning Dynegy’s beliefs and expectations regarding the benefits, recycling and reuse of coal combustion byproducts; Dynegy’s environmental and community sustainability; initial groundwater monitoring results and potential corrective actions; and Dynegy’s closing of certain Illinois surface impoundments. Discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current projections, forecasts, estimates and expectations of Dynegy is contained in Dynegy’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Specifically, Dynegy makes reference to, and incorporates herein by reference, the section entitled “Risk Factors” in its 2017 Form 10-K and subsequent Form 10-Qs. Any or all of Dynegy’s forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Dynegy’s control.
