Power Plant Serving (and Polluting) Northern California Cuts Emissions.(Originated from San Jose Mercury News, Calif.)

SAN JOSE, Calif.--Aug. 18--Pacific Gas & Electric Co.'s Moss Landing power plant -- a gargantuan 1950s-era facility that can generate more electricity than Hoover Dam but spews as much air pollution as 262,000 cars a day -- began a new, cleaner era this week.

Emissions from the plant, which provides much of the energy for Northern California, will be cut 88 percent over the next six years under a plan approved by the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District Wednesday.

The air board's 10-0 vote comes four months after PG&E tried to back out of a plan to reduce pollution at the plant, citing excessive costs.

After a public outcry, PG&E officials …