Deal Would Put Coal-Fired Lamar Plant On Standby

DENVER (AP) - A natural gas-fired power plant in Lamar that was converted to run on coal would go on standby under a proposed settlement with WildEarth Guardians, which alleged Clean Air Act violations at the plant.

According to a consent decree, the Arkansas River Power Authority and the city-owned utility Lamar Light and Power also agreed to pay $125,000 for a clean energy project in southeast Colorado, plus $325,000 for plaintiffs' legal costs.

They agreed not to run the 44-megawatt plant, except for limited testing, until Feb. 1, 2022. They would have to pay $125,000 more if they don't secure long-term contracts by 2019 for power beyond Feb. 1, 2022.

WildEarth Guardians says it's cheaper to buy power elsewhere than to run the plant.

A federal judge must approve the deal.

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