Coal-fired power plants, which represent 52% of the nation's power generation capability, are the single largest source of air pollution in the country, pumping more than 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere each year. Of the 1,522 coal-fired generation units, which provide 336 gigawatts of electricity, more than 800 are subject to new amendments to the Clean Air Act, which require a 57% reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions by 2015. To date, less than 1/3 of the generators are in compliance.
Removing sulfur dioxide, the main cause of acid rain, from plant emissions requires flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems that contain substantial infrastructure components made from advanced composites. By 2015, utilities will need to spend nearly $100 billion for FGD systems, including more than $25 billion for advanced composites components of those systems. Presently, there are five companies in the U.S. who hold the Reinforced Thermoset Plastics RTP-1 accreditation (Many utilities prefer FGD contractors to hold this accreditation.) ECC has nearly completed its RTP-1 accreditation process, and has been operating at the RTP-1 quality standard for several years.
Most of the work in building the scrubbers, hoods, stacks and other infrastructure elements required for FGD systems must be performed onsite. ECC's Field Service Division, which operates 24/7, provides an exceptional level of FGD capability for the power generation sector. ECC's location in Wisconsin Rapids also provides an advantage in capturing more of the FGD market. Of the 628 plants not currently in compliance with the 2015 standards, 75% of them are within a day's drive of ECC. ECC believes that the company will build on its already excellent record in FGD with the delivery of a new portable vertical winder, allowing the company to add new Field Service Teams to the FGD group.
