Overview
Asbury is a 212.8 MW coal power plant in Missouri, United States, owned by Empire District Electric Co. It provides baseload power to the regional grid.
Asbury is a coal-fired power plant located in Missouri, United States, with a capacity of 212.8 MW. Owned by Empire District Electric Co, the facility is operational and contributes to the region's electricity supply. As a coal plant, it operates within the US regulatory framework, including the Clean Air Act and associated programs like the Acid Rain Program and CSAPR. The plant's technology is typical of older coal units, likely subcritical, which influences its efficiency and emissions profile. In the US, coal plants are subject to stringent emission limits for SOx, NOx, and mercury. The plant's capacity places it in the small-to-medium range for coal power generation, and it may serve as a peaking or intermediate unit depending on grid demand. Asbury's environmental context includes its location in a rural area of Missouri, with potential impacts on local air quality and water resources. The plant's coal combustion produces CO2, SOx, NOx, and particulate matter, which are regulated under federal and state permits. Its role in the local grid is significant for reliability, but the plant faces long-term challenges from evolving environmental regulations and the shift toward cleaner energy sources.
Environmental context
Asbury's coal-fired operations contribute to regional air emissions, including CO2, SOx, and NOx, which are regulated under the US Clean Air Act. The plant's location in Missouri places it within the CSAPR region, requiring compliance with cross-state pollution reduction targets. Its capacity and age suggest moderate environmental impact, with potential for retrofits or retirement as regulations tighten.
Frequently asked questions
The Asbury power plant is located in Missouri, United States, near coordinates 37.3613° N, 94.5893° W.
The Asbury coal plant has a capacity of 212.8 megawatts (MW), which is considered small to medium for a coal-fired power plant.
The Asbury power plant is owned by Empire District Electric Co, a utility serving parts of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
Coal plants in the US must comply with the Clean Air Act, including the Acid Rain Program for SO2, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) for NOx and SO2, and state implementation plans for particulate matter and mercury.
Coal plants built in the mid-20th century often use subcritical boiler technology, which is less efficient than modern supercritical or ultra-supercritical designs, resulting in higher fuel consumption and emissions per MWh.