California Air Resources Board

Merced Power LLC Case Settles for $125,000

Merced Power LLC operates a biomass power plant in El Nido, California, with a single gas insulated switchgear containing 15 pounds of SF6.  The Regulation for Reducing Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) Emissions from Gas Insulated Switchgear (SF6 –GIS Regulation) establishes limits on annual SF6 emission rates.  Merced Power LLC exceeded the 2012, 2013 and 2014 emission rate limit.  The penalty was focused on a single year based on Merced Power’s repeated attempts to fix the GIS, and a confidential demonstration of financial hardship.  This case was settled on September 9, 2015, for $125,000.00.

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