MAGNA, Utah (AP) - The Utah Power Plant in Magna is shutting down for good after 75 years of operation.
Mining company Rio Tinto Kennecott on Wednesday announced the official retirement of the plant following regulatory approval.
The plant provided electricity that served as a reliable resource for mining at Kennecott.
State leaders hailed the choice to shutter the old facility in favor of renewable sources and improved air quality.
Rio Tinto Kennecott managing director Marc Cameron says 6,000 tons (5,443 metric tons) of pollutants will be eliminated from the Salt Lake Valley airshed thanks to the closure.
A release from Rio Tinto Kennecott says the company will use Green-e certified carbon-free renewable energy certificates for 1.5 million megawatt hours of electricity, primarily from Rocky Mountain Power’s portfolio of wind and solar resources.
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