Overview
H L Spurlock is a 1,608.5 MW coal power plant in Kentucky, United States, operated by East Kentucky Power Cooperative. It is a major baseload facility serving the region's electricity needs.
H L Spurlock is a coal-fired power plant located in Kentucky, United States, with a capacity of 1,608.5 MW. Owned by East Kentucky Power Cooperative, the facility is operational and plays a significant role in the regional power grid. As a coal plant, it is part of the traditional baseload generation fleet in the state. 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 and age are typical for large coal facilities in the region, with subcritical or supercritical steam cycles common for this scale. H L Spurlock provides reliable electricity to the cooperative's member distribution systems across Kentucky. Its environmental footprint is influenced by coal combustion, which produces CO2, SO2, NOx, and particulate matter. The plant's location in a rural area may reduce direct population exposure, but regional air quality impacts are managed through EPA-mandated emission controls and monitoring.
Environmental context
As a coal-fired power plant, H L Spurlock's environmental context is shaped by its fuel type and capacity. Coal combustion releases significant CO2, SO2, NOx, and mercury, contributing to climate change and local air quality issues. The plant's location in Kentucky, a state with a history of coal mining, places it within a region where coal power is a major electricity source. Proximity to populated areas is moderate, with potential downwind effects on communities. The facility's age and technology likely influence its thermal efficiency and emission rates, with older subcritical units having higher carbon intensity than modern supercritical or CCGT plants.
Frequently asked questions
H L Spurlock is located in Kentucky, United States, at coordinates 38.700000, -83.818100.
H L Spurlock has a capacity of 1,608.5 MW, making it a large coal-fired power plant.
H L Spurlock is owned by East Kentucky Power Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative serving member distribution systems in Kentucky.
Coal power plants in the U.S. must comply with the Clean Air Act, including the Acid Rain Program for SO2 and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) for NOx and SO2. They also face CO2 emission guidelines under the EPA's Clean Power Plan and other state-level regulations.
Coal power plants of this scale typically use subcritical or supercritical steam cycle technology. Subcritical plants are older and less efficient, while supercritical plants operate at higher temperatures and pressures for improved efficiency and lower emissions.