Elmer Smith Coal Power Plant, Owensboro, Kentucky | United States Power Generation

Elmer Smith is a coal-fired power plant located in Owensboro, Kentucky, United States. With a capacity of 445.3 MW, it operates as a medium-to-large scale facility within the U.S. coal power sector. The plant is owned by the City of Owensboro and is currently operational, serving the local and regional electricity demand. 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 steam cycles. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and associated programs such as the Acid Rain Program and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which govern emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other pollutants. As a coal-fired plant, Elmer Smith has a significant environmental footprint, with CO2 emissions contributing to climate change and local air quality impacts from SOx and NOx. Its location in Owensboro, a city with a population of around 60,000, means emissions affect a populated area. The plant plays a key role in grid reliability and local employment, but faces regulatory pressures to reduce emissions in line with evolving environmental standards.

The plant's coal fuel source results in substantial CO2 emissions, as well as SOx and NOx, which contribute to local air quality concerns and regional acid deposition. Owensboro's location in the Ohio River Valley places it in an area with existing air quality challenges. The facility's age and technology (likely subcritical or supercritical) influence its efficiency and emission rates. Proximity to populated areas increases potential health impacts from pollutants.