Dickerson Coal Power Plant | Maryland, USA | 933 MW Capacity

Dickerson is a coal-fired power plant located in Maryland, United States, with a capacity of 933 megawatts. Owned and operated by GenOn Mid-Atlantic LLC, the facility plays a significant role in the region's electricity generation mix. As a coal plant, it is part of the traditional baseload power infrastructure in the Mid-Atlantic area. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and its associated programs such as the Acid Rain Program and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). These regulations govern emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other pollutants. The facility's technology is typical of older coal plants, which may have lower efficiency compared to modern supercritical or combined-cycle units. Dickerson's environmental context involves its coal fuel source, which results in higher CO2 emissions per megawatt-hour compared to natural gas or renewable sources. Its location in Maryland places it within a region with moderate population density, and its emissions are subject to state and federal air quality standards. The plant's capacity of 933 MW classifies it as a large-scale facility, contributing to grid stability but also facing regulatory pressures to reduce emissions.

Dickerson's coal-fired operation results in significant CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions, which are regulated under the EPA's Clean Air Act and regional haze rules. The plant's location in Maryland, near the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, means its emissions can impact air quality for a large population. The facility's age and subcritical technology likely result in lower thermal efficiency and higher emission rates per MWh compared to modern plants.