An electric plant in Tracy will pay a $145,000 settlement for failing to properly operate and maintain equipment that monitors emissions.

The U.S. Environmental Protection announced the settlement with Thermal Energy Development Partnership on Jan. 28.

According to the EPA, the biomass plant at 14800 W. Schulte Road failed to monitor its output of sulfur dioxide, which can contribute to acid rain, for 30 months and did not monitor levels of nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide, both contributors to air pollution, for 27 months.

EPA spokesman Michael Ardito said the agency did not know why the monitoring equipment was not properly operated, but as of Jan. 30, it was working as it should.

There were no known violations of emissions standards, according to a Jan. 28 press release from Jared Blumenfeld, EPA regional administrator.

However, the plant’s operating permits require it to continually monitor any pollution it releases.

“Facilities must comply with the requirements...,” Blumenfeld stated. “With some of the poorest air quality in the nation, the valley cannot afford to risk any further deterioration.”

Thermal Energy Development Partnership will pay the fine to the U.S. Treasury Department, according to Ardito.

Officials from Thermal Energy did not reply to a Jan. 31 request for comment.

• Contact Jon Mendelson at 830-4231.