Air Quality

Emissions control technologies make up approximately 40 percent of the cost of the new Cliffside units. These technologies will be capable of removing approximately:
  • 99.9 percent of the fly ash emissions
  • 99 percent of the sulfur dioxide emissions
  • 96 percent of the sulfate emissions
  • 90 percent of the nitrogen oxide emissions
  • 90 percent of the mercury emissions.

The modernization of the Cliffside site will increase the plant output by 80% – from 760 megawatts to 1,360 megawatts, and also reduce the site’s overall emissions in most categories. This is made possible by the retirements of the much less efficient Cliffside units 1-4, the sulfur dioxide scrubber planned for Cliffside unit 5 and the state-of-the-art emissions controls used with the modern units..

Cliffside Capacity Increases and Past and Projected Sulfur Dioxide Emissions

Annual tons for 2009 and beyond are based on projected capacity factors and projected operating emission rates. Permitted emission rates will be greater than actual operating emission rates due to need for equipment margin and operating flexibility. Duke Energy will continue to meet the requirements of the N.C. Clean Smokestacks legislation.

Cliffside Capacity Increases and Past and Projected Nitrogen Oxide Emissions

Annual tons for 2009 and beyond are based on projected capacity factors and projected operating emission rates. Permitted emission rates will be greater than actual operating emission rates due to need for equipment margin and operating flexibility. Duke Energy will continue to meet the requirements of the N.C. Clean Smokestacks legislation.

Carolinas Coal-Fired Plants
Annual Sulfur Dioxide Emissions (tons)

Reduction of approximately 70 percent from 2000 to 2013 attributed to scrubbers installed at four plants in compliance with N.C. Clean Smokestacks legislation.

Carolinas Coal-Fired Plants
Annual Nitrogen Oxide Emissions (tons)

Reduction of approximately 80 percent from 1996 to 2009 attributed to controls installed to meet federal requirements and N.C. Clean Smokestacks legislation.