Xcel Based Southwestern Public Service Files Lawsuit Against EPA Rule

Xcel Energy’s Texas-based Southwestern Public Service Company has filed a federal lawsuit against an EPA regulation. SPS is pressing charges against the EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, which mandates that SPS reduce selected power plant emissions by half by January 1^st 2012.

SPS, along with other power plants in the state of Texas, say that three months is much too short of a time to fit generating units with emissions-control technologies. Therefore, coal powered generating units would have to significantly reduce their output, leaving aging natural gas powered units to compensate.

SPS says they had a plan that spans several years to retrofit coal generators, which would not only protect output, but also prevent steep rate hikes for customers while still cutting significantly down on pollution.

The total estimated raise in power prices for customers if the EPA does not significantly change it's standards is approximately $8 more per month for the typical Xcel Energy customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours. Changes in the rule announced by the EPA on Thursday do little to change the time power companies have to comply to regulations.