Overview
Animas is an operational gas power plant in Farmington, New Mexico, with a capacity of 18.8 MW. It is owned by the City of Farmington and serves the local power grid.
Animas is a gas-fired power plant located in Farmington, New Mexico, United States. With a capacity of 18.8 MW, it operates as a small-scale facility within the broader US power generation sector. The plant is owned by the City of Farmington and is currently operational, contributing to the region's energy supply. As a gas power plant, Animas utilizes natural gas as its primary fuel, a common choice for flexible and relatively lower-emission power generation compared to coal. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and associated programs such as the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the Acid Rain Program. These regulations govern emissions of pollutants like SOx, NOx, and CO2, ensuring compliance with environmental standards. The plant's relatively small capacity suggests it likely serves a local or niche role, such as peaking power or supporting community energy needs. Its location in the Four Corners region, an area with significant energy infrastructure, underscores its contribution to grid reliability. The use of natural gas aligns with broader trends in the US toward cleaner fossil fuel generation, though the plant's age and technology specifics are not detailed.
Environmental context
The Animas gas power plant, with a capacity of 18.8 MW, operates in the arid Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. Natural gas combustion produces lower CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions per MWh compared to coal, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. The plant's proximity to populated areas like Farmington may influence local air quality, though its small scale limits regional impact. Regulatory oversight under the US Clean Air Act ensures adherence to emission limits.
Frequently asked questions
The Animas power plant is located in Farmington, New Mexico, United States, at coordinates 36.725100, -108.192000.
The Animas gas power plant has a capacity of 18.8 megawatts (MW), classifying it as a small-scale facility.
The Animas power plant is owned by the City of Farmington, New Mexico.
Gas power plants in the US operate under the Clean Air Act (CAA), including the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the Acid Rain Program, and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which regulate emissions of SOx, NOx, and other pollutants.
The Animas plant uses natural gas as its primary fuel, a common fossil fuel for power generation known for lower emissions compared to coal.