Overview
Blue Valley is a 115 MW gas power plant in Independence, Missouri, owned by the City of Independence. It provides electricity to the local grid.
Blue Valley is a gas-fired power plant located in Independence, Missouri, United States. With a capacity of 115 megawatts (MW), it operates as a medium-scale facility within the U.S. power generation sector. The plant is owned by the City of Independence and is currently operational, contributing to the region's energy supply. The plant utilizes natural gas as its primary fuel, a cleaner-burning fossil fuel compared to coal. As a gas power plant, it likely employs combustion turbine or combined cycle technology, which offers higher efficiency and lower emissions per unit of electricity. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act and associated rules such as the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) and the Acid Rain Program, which set limits on sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other pollutants. Blue Valley serves the Independence community and surrounding areas, providing reliable electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Its location in the Midwest, a region with a mix of coal, gas, and renewable generation, positions it as a flexible resource that can ramp up quickly to meet peak demand. The plant's operation supports grid stability and local economic activity.
Environmental context
The plant's gas fuel type results in lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per MWh compared to coal, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its proximity to Independence, a city with a population of over 100,000, means emissions of NOx and SO2 are subject to local air quality regulations under the EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The facility's age and technology (likely subcritical or combined cycle) influence its efficiency and environmental footprint. Overall, the plant's environmental impact is moderate relative to larger coal-fired units.
Frequently asked questions
Blue Valley is located in Independence, Missouri, United States, at coordinates 39.0919° N, 94.3261° W.
Blue Valley uses natural gas as its primary fuel for power generation.
Blue Valley has a generating capacity of 115 megawatts (MW).
Blue Valley is owned by the City of Independence, Missouri.
Gas power plants in the US must comply with the Clean Air Act, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the Acid Rain Program, and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which regulate emissions of SO2, NOx, and other pollutants.