Overview
Four Corners is a 1,636.2 MW coal power plant in the United States, operated by Arizona Public Service Co. It is a major coal-fired facility in the Southwest.
Four Corners is a coal-fired power plant located in the United States, with a capacity of 1,636.2 MW. The facility is owned and operated by Arizona Public Service Co and is currently operational. As a coal power plant, it plays a significant role in the regional energy grid, providing baseload power to the surrounding areas. 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 plant's technology is typical of large coal-fired units, which may include subcritical or supercritical steam cycles depending on the age of the facility. Four Corners is situated in a region with significant energy demand, and its output supports the grid reliability for communities in the Southwest. The environmental context includes considerations of coal combustion emissions and proximity to populated areas. The plant's capacity places it among the larger coal facilities in the country, contributing to both energy security and regional air quality management.
Environmental context
As a coal-fired power plant, Four Corners has a substantial environmental footprint, primarily due to CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions. Its location in the southwestern United States places it in an area with varying air quality standards. The plant's age and technology influence its emission rates, and it operates under EPA regulations such as the Acid Rain Program and CSAPR, which aim to reduce acid rain and cross-state pollution. Proximity to populated areas may also affect local air quality.
Frequently asked questions
Four Corners is located in the United States, near the Four Corners region where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah meet. The plant's coordinates are approximately 36.69° N, -108.48° E.
The Four Corners power plant has a capacity of 1,636.2 megawatts (MW), making it a large coal-fired facility in the United States.
The Four Corners power plant is owned and operated by Arizona Public Service Co, a major utility company in the southwestern United States.
Coal power plants in the US are regulated under the Clean Air Act (CAA), including the Acid Rain Program and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which limit emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
The primary fuel used at Four Corners is coal, which is typical for large baseload power plants in the United States.