What percent of your needed electrical generation came from Weston Unit 3 last year?

In 2011, 13.2% of WPS customer energy needs came from Weston 3.

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Would you replace the power from Weston Unit 3 with other sources of power like purchased power from the Arrowhead to Weston transmission line, or the power from the newer Weston Unit 4?

Weston 4 operated at maximum capacity during much of 2011 and could not replace the needed generation from Unit 3. Purchased power could replace a portion of the generation from Unit 3 but would not be able to replace the majority of generation at a lower cost.

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Will there be jobs created? For how long? How many? What types?

Construction is expected to take from 30 to 36 months. At peak times during construction, we could see about 220 workers brought in. Most times it would be in the 120 to 150 range.

Craft workers will include ironworkers, boilermakers, electricians, pipefitters, masons, sheet metal workers, concrete labor, engineers, carpenters, roofers and potential other craft workers if needed. The project is anticipated to have a union labor agreement and will competitively bid for material and contracted labor and will include local vendors and contractors in the procurement process. WPS anticipates the new system and equipment will require additional full-time employees to operate and maintain the new system. It has not been determined if these positions will be filled internally or externally by the company.

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Will Rothschild, Weston and Marathon County receive any additional shared revenue for this new equipment?

No. The project is pollution control equipment and will not be included when figuring the state's shared revenue formula. There will be no increase in the allocation of the utility tax distribution to the municipalities.

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What is the cost difference in converting the Weston 3 Unit to natural gas vs this project?

It would not be economically feasible as compared to other options.

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Weston 3 is 31 years old. At what point is it no longer wise to fix, and just build a new one?

WPS has a great history of maintaining its power plants and equipment and making sure they are in top notch condition to operate. There are spare parts that are always available. Weston Unit 1 is now 58 years old and Unit 2 is 52 years old and still available to operate. Compliance with environmental rules will be needed into the future and the new ReACT system on Unit 3 will allow that to happen.

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Will the new emission control equipment increase the noise level at the plant?

The system installed will meet equipment noise levels that are specified for the existing facilities.

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You will capture mercury before it is emitted out the emission stack and into the air. After capturing it, where will the collected mercury go?

The mercury removed from the flue gas will be captured by the activated coke filter and will concentrate in a specific section of the system. The activated coke material in which the mercury is concentrated will be removed from the storage system during a regularly scheduled power plant outage. The contaminated material will be shipped offsite for disposal at an approved site and may also be considered, re-processed and re-used.

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How much mercury will be collected?

We expect about 70 pounds of mercury to be collected in the system annually.

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With the new system, what are you anticipated emission reductions?

We expect to achieve greater than 90% reduction in both Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Mercury (Hg) and up to 20% reduction in Nitrogen Oxide (NOx).

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Will there be a regulatory permitting process? Will the public be involved?

Before construction starts, an air pollution control construction permit application is submitted and approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). The construction permit process makes sure that proposed projects can meet all air pollution standards before they are constructed.

The project will also require WPS to apply for a construction permit for the installation of the process heaters and material handling sources that are included in the project.

After the permit application is complete, the DNR will a preliminary decision to approve or deny the permit. A 30-day public comment period follows this decision. During this time, the public can provide comments to the DNR regarding the project. A public hearing might also be scheduled. The WDNR then has 60 days after the close of the comment period or hearing to issue or deny a construction permit for the project.

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