Orrtanna Diesel Power Plant | Pennsylvania, USA

Orrtanna is a diesel power plant located in Orrtanna, Pennsylvania, United States. With a capacity of 27 MW, it is a small-scale facility within the US power generation sector. The plant is owned by Orrtanna Power LLC and is currently operational. The plant uses oil as its primary fuel, a common choice for diesel power plants that often serve as peaking units or backup generation. In the United States, such facilities are subject to the Clean Air Act (CAA) regulations, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the Acid Rain Program, which limit emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). As a diesel plant, Orrtanna contributes to grid reliability by providing flexible power generation that can be dispatched quickly. Its location in rural Pennsylvania supports local energy needs, though its oil fuel source results in higher CO2 and pollutant emissions compared to natural gas or renewable sources.

The plant's use of oil fuel results in higher CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions per MWh compared to natural gas or renewable sources. Its location in a rural area may reduce direct population exposure, but the facility must comply with US EPA emissions standards under the Clean Air Act. The 27 MW capacity places it in the small-scale category, limiting its overall environmental footprint relative to larger baseload plants.