Because the Glendale utility is not part of that market, it must meet an annual cap on its emissions. The city utility has enough power for its own needs, but would like to sell excess power elsewhere in the state. Because of transmission bottlenecks, the extra 100 megawatts would not be available for Northern California, which is the center of the state's current power shortages. Last month, for example, the AQMD agreed to let AES Corp. keep three plants in Los Angeles and Orange counties running despite severe pollution violations. To my knowledge, it has not been an issue.
Power plants emit large volumes of nitrogen oxides, a key ingredient of smog and particle pollution.
Yet the companies delayed installing the costly catalytic equipment that would keep them under their emissions limits. The price of those credits has increased rapidly in recent months. I'm embarrassed about. The plant operators will no longer have to buy credits, but will have to install anti-smog equipment in the years to come. You will not be charged to look for stories, only to retrieve one.