$66 MILLION ALLOCATED TO REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM BOUNDARY DAM POWER STATION

Released on March 23, 1998

Environment and Resource Management Minister Lorne Scott on behalf of

Deputy Premier and Crown Investments Corporation Minister Dwain

Lingenfelter, today announced a $66 million investment to reduce

particulate emissions at Boundary Dam Power Station through the

installation of electrostatic precipitators.



A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SaskPower and the

Department of Environment and Resource Management has been put in

place to provide long-term environmental protection initiatives. The

five year project to install the electrostatic precipitators is the

lead initiative resulting from this MOU.



"This major project, which will be reviewed on an annual basis, builds

upon the corporation's existing environmental action plan and

commitment to sustainable development," Scott said.



Scott said the MOU is the result of several years of work by his

department and SaskPower. "This MOU provides us with a structure for

identifying environmental issues and priorities that are important to

both organizations. I am pleased that we were able to mutually agree

upon this reduction of particulate emissions as the top priority."

When completed, Boundary Dam Power Station will meet current

guidelines for coal-fired generating plants. The electrostatic

precipitators will remove up to 99 per cent of the particulate

emissions from the stacks, reducing emissions to within the

government guidelines for new power stations.



Scott said the first precipitator will be retrofitted to

generator unit number 4, creating 30 person-years of work. In

addition, Saskatchewan businesses will have the opportunity to

bid on up to $2.5 million worth of work such as steel

fabrication, material supply and construction equipment rental.



Through competitive tender, Scott also announced that ABB Power

Generation Segment in Canada has been awarded the contract to

design, manufacture, install and commission the unit 4 project,

which will be completed in 1999. Four other generating units at

the Boundary Dam Power Station will be retrofitted with

electrostatic precipitators at a rate of one per year over the

remaining four years, providing further job creation and

additional economic benefits.



"We are proud of the partnership we have forged to advance our

shared environmental responsibility," Scott noted. "Through this

agreement, and in partnership with environmentally responsible

groups and individuals, both SaskPower and SERM are taking a

co-ordinated, co-operative approach to preserve the environment,

while meeting Saskatchewan's need for reliable, affordable

power."



"This agreement and the lead initiative will go a long way

towards creating economic benefits while helping to pass on a

clean, safe and sustainable environment to future generations."

Scott concluded.



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For more information, contact:



Robert Stedwill Chuck Bosgoed

Manager Environmental Programs Environment and Resource

SaskPower Management

Regina Regina

Phone: (306) 566-3167 Phone: (306) 787-6205

Or 1-888-536-0000