The factory wanted to put 7.5 megawatts of extra electricity out on the power grid. But that plan would require operating the boiler house at full steam year-round instead of just during peak processing times.

Amalgamateds extended burning period would lead to excess emissions of air pollutants, according to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.

James Kusterer, Amalgamateds assistant superintendent of the technical division, said the plant could have moved ahead with the power generation plan under its current permit if it burned natural gas to create steam for the generators.

But natural gas is too expensive, he said, and wholesale electricity prices have dropped since the plan was first conceived.

We decided that we should delay the whole project by going back and obtaining a permit which would allow us to use a less expensive fuel source, and meet all of the environmental requirements, Kusterer said.

Amalgamated intends to apply for a permit that would allow the plant to install the proper pollution controls so coal which the plant already burns to power its generator can be burned instead of natural gas.

Our goal is to help them meet their needs on the project and hopefully improve the air quality in the Treasure Valley, Matt Stoll of DEQs Boise Regional Office said.

In the end, the pollution controls will help the factory without adding to the Treasure Valleys pollution load, Kusterer said. Its expected to take at least a year to apply for the new permit.