Overview
Lewis & Clark is a 68.6 MW coal power plant operated by Montana-Dakota Utilities Co in the United States. The facility provides baseload power to the regional grid.
Lewis & Clark is a coal-fired power plant located in the United States, operated by Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. With a capacity of 68.6 MW, it is a small-scale coal facility serving the regional electricity grid. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the US EPA Clean Air Act, including NAAQS, the Acid Rain Program, and CSAPR. As a coal plant, it is subject to emission limits for SO2, NOx, and particulate matter, and may utilize control technologies such as scrubbers or electrostatic precipitators. As a coal power plant, Lewis & Clark contributes to the local energy mix and grid stability. Its environmental footprint includes CO2 emissions and other pollutants typical of coal combustion, with potential impacts on local air quality and water resources.
Environmental context
The plant's coal fuel source results in significant CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions compared to natural gas or renewable sources. Its location in a rural area may reduce direct population exposure, but regional air quality and water usage for cooling are relevant environmental considerations. Smaller coal plants often use older, less efficient technology.
Frequently asked questions
The Lewis & Clark coal power plant is located in the United States, with coordinates 47.6785 N, -104.1566 W.
The Lewis & Clark power plant has a capacity of 68.6 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale coal-fired facility.
The Lewis & Clark power plant is operated by Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.
Coal power plants in the US must comply with the Clean Air Act, including NAAQS for criteria pollutants, the Acid Rain Program for SO2 and NOx, and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) for regional emissions.
Coal power plants emit CO2, SO2, NOx, and particulate matter, contributing to climate change, acid rain, and local air pollution. They also require significant water for cooling and produce coal ash waste.