Overview
John P Madgett is a 387 MW coal power plant in Wisconsin, United States, operated by Dairyland Power Coop. It supplies electricity to the regional grid.
John P Madgett is a coal-fired power generation facility located in Wisconsin, United States, with a capacity of 387 megawatts. The plant is owned and operated by Dairyland Power Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative serving member cooperatives in the Upper Midwest. As a coal plant, it operates within the broader context of the U.S. power sector, which has seen a shift toward cleaner energy sources. The plant's technical specifications indicate a subcritical or supercritical coal unit typical of its era. It is subject to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations under the Clean Air Act, including the Acid Rain Program and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which limit sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. The plant likely employs emission control technologies such as scrubbers or selective catalytic reduction to comply with these standards. John P Madgett plays a role in providing baseload power to the Dairyland system, supporting rural electric cooperatives and their member-owners. Its environmental footprint includes CO2 emissions from coal combustion, as well as SOx and NOx, which are regulated to protect air quality. The plant's location in a rural area may reduce direct population exposure, but regional air quality impacts remain a consideration.
Environmental context
The plant's coal fuel source results in significant CO2 emissions per MWh compared to natural gas or renewables. Proximity to populated areas is moderate, with the nearest city likely being Alma, Wisconsin. The plant's age and technology (likely subcritical) contribute to higher emission rates. Regulatory compliance under the Clean Air Act and state-level rules governs its SOx, NOx, and particulate matter emissions.
Frequently asked questions
John P Madgett is located in Wisconsin, United States, near Alma along the Mississippi River.
The plant has a capacity of 387 megawatts, making it a medium-sized coal-fired power station.
The plant is owned and operated by Dairyland Power Cooperative, a generation and transmission cooperative serving the Upper Midwest.
Coal power plants in the U.S. must comply with the Clean Air Act, including the Acid Rain Program and Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which limit SO2 and NOx emissions. They also face greenhouse gas reporting requirements.
The plant primarily uses coal as its fuel source, which is typical for baseload power generation in the region.