ILLINOIS POLLUTION
    CONTROL BOARD
    October 10, 1972
    ILLINOIS POWER CO. (HENNEPIN STATION)
    )
    v.
    )
    #72—297
    ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    )
    Opinion of
    the
    Board
    (by ~4r.Currie):
    In Illinois Power Co. v. EPA,
    #71—193, 2
    PCB
    547
    (Sept.
    30, 1971), we approved a control plan that envisioned erection
    of a 99 precipitator on Hennepin Unit 2
    by
    June 30, 1972,
    which would cause particulate emissions
    from the two Hennepin
    units operating at the same time and discharging through a
    single stack to comply with the then applicable regulations.
    The opinion observed that the
    company’s
    ability to meet the
    standard by controlling only one of
    the
    two
    units
    “demonstrates
    the laxity of the existing standard,” which has since been
    tightened with a future effective date. PCB Regs., Ch. 2,
    Rule 203(g). To meet this
    new standard, and recognizing that
    it
    may
    on occasion be necessary
    to operate Unit #1 alone when
    #2
    is temporarily inoperable, Illinois Power now proposes to
    install a 99.5 precipitator on Unit #1 by June 30, 1974,
    eleven months before the effective date of the new standard.
    A variance is sought to allow use of Unit
    #1
    by itself, when
    necessary, before that
    date, although this will result
    in
    emissions exceeding those
    allowed by the presently effective
    standard.
    The Agency agrees that such permission should be granted
    when indispensable to avoid interruption of electric service,
    and we note that the total weight of emissions during such a
    period, while in violation of the standard, will be less than
    those lawfully emitted when both units operate at once. The
    company agrees to other conditions suggested by the Agency to
    assure that there is a real need for the use of Unit #1 by
    itself. The Agency’s principal concern was that perhaps several
    mciths
    could be cut from the schedule for precipitator con~
    str~ction,but upon the submission of further affidavits by
    the company the Agency agrees that the schedule is reason—
    able and we accordingly approve it.
    ORDER
    Illinois Power
    Co.
    is hereby granted a variance allowing
    Darticulate emissions from Henneo±nUnit #1 in excess of those
    5
    —
    645
    —2--
    permitted by Rule 2-2.21 of the Rules and Regulations Govern-
    ing the Control of Air Pollution until October 10, 1973, sub-
    ject to extension upon a proper showing until June 30, 1974,
    provided the following conditions are met:
    1. That the Variance shall apply only when all of the follow-
    ing requirements are met:
    a. Unit #2 and its precipitator are not in operation
    due to malfunctions or necessary maintenance;
    and
    b. Interruptible gas is not available at the residential
    rate to Unit #1; and
    c. Demand conditions for electrical supply, or the main-
    tenance of spinning reserves, or the maintenance of
    adequate voltage on the Petitioner’s electrical net-
    work is such to require the additional generating
    capacity of Unit #1, and
    d. Operation of
    Unit
    #1 is necessary until other con-
    trolled units of Petitioner
    or
    other controlled
    systems can
    be brought into operation.
    2,
    That
    records he submitted along with the required program
    report
    stating the date, length
    of operation, and reasons
    for nbc operation of
    Hennepin Unit
    ~l
    in violation of
    the
    eresent :~articujate emission
    regulations.
    3. That Petitioner maximize
    uti:Lization of its Baldwin Unit,
    flood
    River
    Gnits.
    44
    and #f
    •
    and
    Havana Units (all of
    which are preseni:iy in compliance with particulate emission
    regulations) before utilizing Hennepin #l~
    That
    Petitioner
    utilize Hennepin #1 in preference
    to
    Wood liver Units 41, #2 and #3 until Wood River Units
    41 #2 and #3 become in compliance with particulate
    emission
    regulations.
    3. That emissions from Hennepin Unit #1 shall receive the
    best practicable control consistent with existing control
    equipment;
    6.
    That Illinois Power shall diligently pursue
    the construction
    of the Unit #1 precipitator
    iii accordance with its
    own
    schedule, as fol1ows~
    Completion of design
    December, 1972
    Construction of model and
    model testing
    March, 1973
    Submission of
    Model test
    report to consulting
    engineers
    June, 1973
    Flue gas duct design
    June,
    1973
    Conunencement of on-site
    construction
    July, 1973
    Shipment of precipitator
    Oct. -Dec.
    1973
    Construction and Performance
    Test Completed
    June
    30, 1974
    ,
    Christan Moffett, Clerk of the Pollution Control BoarclL
    certify that the Board adopted th~above Opinion this ~
    day of October, 1972, by a vote of ~

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