FirstEnergy Corporation and Powerspan Corporation, a clean energy technology company, have teamed up to introduce state-of-the-art technology to cut down on emissions at FirstEnergy's R.E. Burger Plant in Shadyside, Ohio.

The patented Electro-Catalytic Oxidation (ECO) multi-pollutant control technology is for coal-based electric utility plants and is used exclusively at the Shadyside plant.

According to Powerspan CEO Frank Alix, the technology has proven effective in reducing nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, mercury, acid gases and soot in the air. Alix says the ECO process also produces a highly marketable ammonium sulfate fertilizer co-product, currently being sold in the fertilizer market.

"We take that gas and we clean it up, it looks a lot like the gas in this room, you can breathe it, it's pure," Alix said during an interview with NEWS9. "We're just indebted to FirstEnergy and the people of this valley for making this possible."

FirstEnergy invested in the Powerspan technology eight years ago, in hopes of reducing emissions from their power plants.

"Being able to produce electricity from coal, do it economically and keep the environment clean is a benefit to every single person in the United States, " said FirstEnergy Senior Vice President Guy Pipitone. "After we take all those pollutants out, it is aluminum sulfate, which can be used as a fertilizer at any farm in the country."

FirstEnergy also plans to install an ECO system on the 215-megawatt Unit 4 of its Bay Short Plant in Oregon, Ohio.

"You can replicate (this technology) in many different places, and have it make an impact over the industry," said Jackie Bird of the Ohio Coal Development Office of the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority. "That's great for the hometown boys here in the Ohio coal country, and we think this one is a homerun and we look forward to seeing this one hit out of the ballpark."

Ohio Senator Charlie Wilson spoke at FirstEnergy's open house Wednesday. He says he is excited over the new technology because it will help maintain local jobs.

"It provides the opportunity to burn local coal, to use our quality workforce and to produce electricity for America," Wilson said.

FirstEnergy and Powerspan are also planning to pilot test a promising carbon-dioxide removal technology beginning in late 2006.

Jill Del Greco, NEWS9