Alliant Energy converting Clinton generating station to natural gas

Alliant Energy plans to convert the fuel source of the M.L. Kapp Generating Station in Clinton from coal to natural gas in the spring of 2015.

The move is anticipated to reduce the facility's total nitrogen oxide, particulate, mercury and carbon dioxide emissions and nearly eliminate sulfur dioxide emissions. The utility said the fuel switch is an economical way for the M.L. Kapp facility to meet future environmental regulations and provide customers with economic energy.

M.L. Kapp will be the fourth generating facility in Alliant Energy's Iowa and Minnesota service territory to switch from coal to natural gas.

Through planned and completed fuel-switching, retirements, and the installation of air quality control systems, Alliant Energy expects to make progress toward cleaner emissions from its fleet by the end of 2016.

The Madison, Wis.-based utility projects mercury will be reduced by 84 percent, sulfur dioxide will be reduced by 72 percent, filterable particulate matter will be reduced by 34 percent, and nitrogen oxide will be reduced reduced by 22 percent.

Coal-burning facilities were expected to slip to 10 percent of total new generating capacity in the U.S. in 2013, down from 18 percent in 2009, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.