Black Hills Wants to Decommission 2 Power Plants

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — Black Hills Power Inc. is seeking authority to decommission two older, coal-fired power plants in Wyoming.

The Wyoming Public Service Commission issued a public notice of the application of Black Hills last week requesting authority to decommission the Neil Simpson I plant in Campbell County and the Osage plant in Weston county. The Neil Simpson plant was built in 1969 and the Osage plant dates back to 1948.

Black Hills officials tell the Associated Press that the decision to stop operating the plants was based in part on new emissions regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency. The company determined it was more cost effective to retire and decommission the plants than to comply with the EPA regulations.

Black Hills said decommissioning the plants won't adversely impact its customers.