The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Nov. 10 issued the first greenhouse gas permit in Texas for the Lower Colorado River Authority’s Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant.

LCRA is modernizing the plant by replacing a 37-year-old, 440 MW gas boiler unit with a 590 MW combined-cycle unit. The new plant will also use a system that reduces nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions and includes environmental monitoring of GHG emissions. Fluor Corp. (NYSE: FLR) was contracted to build the new plant, which is expected to begin operations in 2014.

LCRA said it completed the GHG permit process and obtained a final permit in about eight months. The EPA is currently reviewing ten additional GHG permit applications for Texas companies.

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