When coal burns, mercury is emitted with the flue gas that is released from the power station stacks during combustion. Mercury is a neurotoxin and is not healthy for any living organism.
Since 2003, SaskPower has collected nearly 275 kilograms of mercury from switches and thermostats.
Emissions reduction strategies
Mercury switches in cars
We have an agreement in place with General Scrap Partnership (GSP) to remove mercury switches in older vehicles that normally control the hood or trunk lights. Under this agreement, GSP recovers the mercury switches from older vehicles and recycles or disposes of them responsibly. We then receive the credit for the mercury that is deflected from landfills.
Mercury thermostat recycling program
We encourage our customers to bring old thermostats to SaskPower customer service locations so the thermostats can be disposed of in an effective and environmental way.
Emissions Control Research Facility
The Emissions Control Research Facility (ECRF) was originally designed to capture mercury from the flue gas before it escapes into the atmosphere. The ECRF explored various mercury-capture technologies before finding one that would be most suitable. We developed technology that will help us meet the requirements of the new federal Canada-Wide Standard for mercury emissions.
Key to this work has been the development of in-house technologies for analyzing mercury in coal and ash streams, which has been recognized by industry peers as being one of the most proficient for this kind of analysis.
This facility has attracted the involvement of other lignite-burning utilities and suppliers of mercury-control technologies, as well as funding support from agencies in Canada and the United States. The ECRF received the Canadian Electricity Association Environmental Stewardship Award for its work on mercury technologies in 2008.
Carbon injection system for mercury control
At the Poplar River Power Station, powdered activated carbon is injected into the flue gas to absorb mercury. This was the first Canadian facility of its kind to do so.
