Through the use of technology and the burning of low-sulfur coal, Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. has reduced emissions from the company's coal-burning plants during the last five years.

"One of the cornerstones of PP&L's corporate mission is to conduct its business in an environmentally responsible manner," said Lynn Ratzell, manager of PP&L's Environmental Management Division. "We are committed to good environmental performance, and that includes meeting or exceeding the requirements of all federal and state environmental laws."

The Natural Resources Defense Council, or NRDC, released a report Wednesday (5/8) that links heart- and lung-related deaths to air pollution from the burning of coal, oil and diesel fuel, which includes power plants and vehicles.

"We have not yet seen the study, but intend to review it and, as always, participate in the dialogue on environmental improvement issues," Ratzell said. "We are aware that the federal Environmental Protection Agency is evaluating evidence, such as NRDC's study, and the agency will address any changes needed to current standards."

The EPA is responsible for developing federal standards for air emissions and particulate matter to protect public health. The 1990 Clean Air Act amendments require substantial reductions in emissions and require EPA to study additional requirements. The first phase of the amendments took effect in 1995 and the second phase, which requires even more-stringent emission reductions, begins in 2000.

"PP&L has met all the requirements of the new Clean Air Act and will continue to do so," Ratzell said.

During the last five years, PP&L has reduced nitrogen oxide emissions by 40 percent through the installation of new, low nitrogen oxide burners at several power plants. In the same period, sulfur dioxide emissions were reduced by 13 percent primarily by burning lower-sulfur coal.

All of PP&L's coal-burning power plants have baghouses or precipitators that remove in excess of 99 percent of the particulate matter that is created when coal is burned.

"PP&L has spent about $200 million recently on pollution control equipment to reduce air emissions," Ratzell said.

In 1995, the American Lung Association of the Lehigh Valley gave PP&L a clean air award for installing low nitrogen oxide burners at the Martins Creek power plant in Lower Mount Bethel Township.