Overview
International Paper Georgetown Mill is a 95.6 MW biomass power plant in Georgetown, South Carolina, USA. It operates as a waste-fueled facility owned by International Paper Co-GT Mill.
International Paper Georgetown Mill is a biomass power plant located in Georgetown, South Carolina, United States. With a capacity of 95.6 MW, it falls within the medium scale for biomass power generation in the US. The plant is owned by International Paper Co-GT Mill and is currently operational. The facility utilizes waste as its primary fuel, a common practice in the pulp and paper industry where byproducts like black liquor and wood residues are burned for energy. As a biomass plant, it operates under the US Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Act regulations, including New Source Performance Standards for biomass combustion. The plant's technology is typical for industrial cogeneration, providing both electricity and steam for the adjacent paper mill. This plant plays a key role in the local industrial ecosystem by converting waste from paper production into energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering the mill's carbon footprint. Its location in Georgetown, South Carolina, supports the regional grid and contributes to the state's renewable energy portfolio. The facility's integration with the paper mill exemplifies efficient resource use in the manufacturing sector.
Environmental context
The plant's use of waste fuel reduces landfill disposal and offsets fossil fuel consumption, lowering net CO2 emissions compared to coal-fired plants. However, biomass combustion still releases SOx, NOx, and particulate matter, which are regulated under the Clean Air Act. The facility's proximity to Georgetown and the surrounding area requires adherence to National Ambient Air Quality Standards to protect local air quality. Its age and technology influence emission profiles, with modern controls minimizing environmental impact.
Frequently asked questions
International Paper Georgetown Mill is located in Georgetown, South Carolina, United States, at coordinates 33.360200, -79.302600.
It is a biomass power plant that uses waste as its primary fuel, with a capacity of 95.6 MW.
The plant is owned by International Paper Co-GT Mill, a subsidiary of International Paper, a major pulp and paper company.
The plant must comply with the US Clean Air Act, including New Source Performance Standards for biomass combustion and National Ambient Air Quality Standards for emissions like SOx, NOx, and particulate matter.
By burning waste from paper production, the plant generates electricity and steam, reducing fossil fuel use and supporting renewable energy goals in South Carolina.