The description relates to a process for reducing acid plume from stacks from coal-fired combustors operating at varying loads, which have typically been treated by back-end calcium carbonate (limestone) which has not been able to effectively control visible acid plume as power is ramped up from low load. According to the process, as high sulfur and high iron coals are burned in a combustor, magnesium hydroxide slurry is introduced into hot combustion gases in or near the combustion zone. And, during ramp up to high load from a period of operation at low load, additional magnesium hydroxide is introduced into an intermediate-temperature zone.