Harrisburg Facility - 24.1 MW Biomass Power Plant in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

The Harrisburg Facility is a biomass power plant located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. With a capacity of 24.1 MW, it is a small-scale power generation facility that utilizes waste as its primary fuel source. The plant is owned and operated by the Harrisburg Authority and is currently operational. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and associated standards such as the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the Acid Rain Program. As a biomass plant, it may also be subject to EPA's regulations for renewable energy facilities, including emissions guidelines for commercial and industrial solid waste incineration units. The Harrisburg Facility plays a role in the local energy mix by converting waste into electricity, contributing to waste management and renewable energy generation in the region. Its location in Harrisburg, the state capital, supports the community's energy needs while aligning with broader environmental goals for reducing landfill use and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Harrisburg Facility uses waste as fuel, which reduces landfill volumes and associated methane emissions. However, biomass combustion releases CO2, SOx, and NOx, though these emissions are generally lower than coal. The plant's location in an urban area may raise air quality considerations under the EPA's NAAQS. Its relatively small capacity (24.1 MW) limits its overall environmental footprint compared to larger fossil fuel plants.