Overview
Gowanus Gas Turbines Generating is a 640 MW oil-fired diesel power plant in Brooklyn, New York, operated by U S Power Generating Company LLC. It serves the New York City grid as a peaking facility.
Gowanus Gas Turbines Generating is a 640-megawatt oil-fired diesel power plant located in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City, United States. The facility is owned and operated by U S Power Generating Company LLC and is classified as a diesel power plant. It plays a role in meeting peak electricity demand in the densely populated New York metropolitan area. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and its National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), as well as state-level regulations from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. As an oil-fired facility, it is subject to emissions limits for sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter. The plant's capacity of 640 MW places it in the medium-to-large scale for diesel peaking plants in the region. Environmental considerations for this facility include its proximity to residential areas in Brooklyn and its use of oil as a primary fuel, which results in higher CO2 and SOx emissions compared to natural gas. The plant's role as a peaking unit means it operates intermittently, typically during periods of high demand, which can affect local air quality. Its location in a densely populated urban area underscores the importance of emissions controls and compliance with local air quality standards.
Environmental context
The Gowanus Gas Turbines Generating plant is situated in a densely populated urban area of Brooklyn, New York, near the Gowanus Canal. Its oil-fired operation contributes to local emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which are regulated under the Clean Air Act. The facility's proximity to residential neighborhoods and schools heightens the importance of stringent emissions controls. As a peaking plant, its intermittent operation can cause short-term spikes in air pollution during high-demand periods, impacting local air quality.
Frequently asked questions
Gowanus Gas Turbines Generating is located in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, United States, at coordinates 40.6635, -74.0051.
It is a diesel power plant that uses oil as its primary fuel to generate electricity, with a capacity of 640 megawatts.
The plant is owned and operated by U S Power Generating Company LLC.
The plant operates under the U.S. Clean Air Act, including NAAQS, and must comply with emissions limits for SO2, NOx, and particulate matter set by the EPA and New York State.
As an oil-fired peaking plant, it can contribute to local air pollution during high-demand periods, but is subject to emissions controls to mitigate impacts on nearby residential areas.