Plants are now using this record to identify opportunities to reduce and recycle. Our 15 New England hydroelectric dams and stations have replaced hydraulic oil with biodegradable, vegetable-based hydraulic uid in all systems that sit outside over the water. Citrus-based cleaning solvents are used instead of chlorinated solvents. Hazardous waste control efforts in our Northwest operations reduced the quantity of hazardous waste by 83 percent between 1994 and 1997. This trend continued in 1998, with a focus on substitution or replacement of solvent-based parts cleaners.
New technology is one of the most effective ways to improve our environmental operations.
In 1998, our competitive market businesses used technology to enhance environmental performance in a number of ways. These efforts focused on achieving further reductions of nitrogen oxides emissions and on preparing facilities to participate in the new NOx Budget Program. If the tests are successful, the systems will be installed at Salem Harbor Station as well. The software effectively places a dedicated operator in control of each parameter of combustion, providing for greater efficiency. De-ionized water use went from 500 to 50 gallons per minute, allowing the plant to use city water instead of well water.