Buck Gas Power Plant | Duke Energy Carolinas, North Carolina

Buck is a gas-fired power generation facility located in North Carolina, United States, with an operational capacity of 697.9 megawatts. Owned and operated by Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC, the plant plays a key role in meeting regional electricity demand. As a gas power plant, it falls under the medium-to-large scale category for this sector in the US. The facility operates under the regulatory oversight 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), the Acid Rain Program, and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). These regulations govern emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and other pollutants. Gas-fired plants like Buck typically have lower CO2 and pollutant emissions compared to coal-fired units, aligning with modern environmental standards. Buck's operational status and capacity contribute to the stability of the local power grid. As part of Duke Energy's fleet, it supports residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the region. The plant's gas-fired technology offers flexibility and efficiency, helping to integrate renewable energy sources and maintain reliable electricity supply.

The Buck plant uses natural gas as its primary fuel, which produces lower CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions per megawatt-hour compared to coal or oil. Its location in North Carolina places it within a region with moderate population density, and the facility is subject to EPA emissions standards. Gas-fired plants typically employ combined-cycle or simple-cycle configurations, with combined-cycle offering higher efficiency and lower emissions.