Cross Coal Power Plant | South Carolina, USA | 2,390 MW

Cross is a coal-fired power plant located in South Carolina, United States, with a capacity of 2,390 MW. It is operated by the South Carolina Public Service Authority and serves as a significant baseload power source for the region. The plant's size places it among the larger coal facilities in the country. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including the Clean Air Act, National Ambient Air Quality Standards, and the Acid Rain Program. As a coal-fired facility, it is subject to emissions limits for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. The plant's technology and age influence its efficiency and environmental footprint. Cross plays a key role in the South Carolina power grid, providing reliable electricity to homes and businesses. Its operation contributes to the state's energy mix, though coal-fired generation faces increasing regulatory and economic pressures from cleaner alternatives. The plant's location in a rural area may reduce direct population exposure to emissions.

The Cross plant's coal combustion produces CO2, SOx, NOx, and particulate matter, contributing to regional air quality and climate impacts. Its location in a rural area may reduce immediate population exposure, but emissions can affect downwind communities. The plant's age and technology (likely subcritical) result in lower efficiency and higher emissions per MWh compared to modern natural gas or renewable sources. Regulatory programs like CSAPR aim to reduce cross-state air pollution.