Cooper Coal Power Plant, Kentucky | United States Power Generation Facility

Cooper is a coal-fired power plant located in Kentucky, United States, with a capacity of 344 megawatts. It is owned and operated by East Kentucky Power Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative serving member distribution cooperatives across the state. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Act, including the Acid Rain Program and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. The plant utilizes coal as its primary fuel, a common choice for baseload power generation in the region. Coal plants of this capacity typically employ subcritical or supercritical boiler technology. The facility is subject to emissions limits for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter under federal and state regulations. As a coal-fired facility, Cooper contributes to the local energy mix but also faces environmental considerations related to greenhouse gas emissions and air quality. Its location in Kentucky, a state with significant coal reserves, aligns with the regional energy profile. The plant plays a role in providing reliable electricity to cooperative members, supporting rural and suburban communities.

The plant's coal combustion releases CO2, SOx, NOx, and particulate matter, impacting local air quality. Kentucky's reliance on coal for electricity generation means the facility operates within a region with higher emissions intensity. The plant's age and technology (likely subcritical) may result in lower efficiency and higher emissions per MWh compared to modern natural gas or renewable sources.