![PUC Approves Pollution Upgrades at Minnesota Power](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2013/07/coal.png?w=980&q=75)
PUC Approves Pollution Upgrades at Minnesota Power
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has approved Minnesota Power's plan to install pollution control upgrades at one of the state's largest coal-fired power plants.
The project is expected to reduce mercury emissions at the Boswell 4 unit in Cohasset, which powers taconite and paper plants. Large industrial customers can expect to pay 9 percent more by 2017 while residential customers face a 6 percent increase to pay for the retrofit.
Kevin Reuther of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy says the utility should invest in cleaner power sources instead.
Minnesota Power Vice President Dave McMillan says his company is converting a smaller coal plant in Hoyt Lakes to gas and closing a coal unit in Schroeder. But he says converting a plant the size of Boswell 4 is not feasible.
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Stearns County Wind Farms Clear Regulatory Hurdle](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/12/windmill.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Study: Pharmaceuticals Taint Minnesota Streams](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/03/chemicals-in-water.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Ben’s, St. John’s Official Higher Ed Partners with MN United](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2019/11/soccer_ball_getty_Michael-Regan_Getty24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gas Prices Fall in Minnesota, Rise Nationally](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-97962772.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud’s Coborn’s, CentraCare Make List of Biggest Minnesota Employers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jobs3-Thinkstock-GettyImages.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Central MN Meat Market Introduces 24/7 Meat Vending Machine](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jen-and-Travis.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Becker Woman Hurt in Crash Near Spicer](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/06/State-Patrol-Stock-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Get Ready For Change: Minnesota Introduces Area Code 924 Overlay](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-NewAreaCode.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MSP Ranked Top U.S. Airport in 2024](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-MAC_MSP-Airport_Terminal-1_Delta_6x4_200.jpg?w=980&q=75)