Overview
Central Utility Plant at White Oak is a 54.3 MW gas power plant in Silver Spring, Maryland, operated by GSA Metropolitan Service Center. It provides district heating and cooling to the White Oak Federal Research Center.
Central Utility Plant at White Oak is a gas-fired power plant located in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States. With a capacity of 54.3 MW, it operates as a combined heat and power facility, supplying electricity, steam, and chilled water to the White Oak Federal Research Center. The plant is owned and operated by the GSA Metropolitan Service Center, supporting federal government operations. The plant uses natural gas as its primary fuel, a cleaner-burning fossil fuel compared to coal or oil. It operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Act, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards and the Acid Rain Program. The facility's capacity places it in the small-to-medium scale for gas power plants in the United States, typical for on-site cogeneration at large institutional campuses. Environmentally, the plant's gas-fired technology results in lower emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter compared to coal plants. Its location in a suburban area near residential zones necessitates adherence to strict emission controls. The plant plays a key role in ensuring reliable energy for federal research activities, contributing to energy security and grid stability in the region.
Environmental context
The plant's gas-fired technology reduces CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions relative to coal, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its location in a suburban area near residential zones requires compliance with local air quality standards. The facility's age and technology (likely combined cycle or cogeneration) influence its efficiency and environmental footprint.
Frequently asked questions
Central Utility Plant at White Oak is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, at coordinates 39.0394 N, -76.9825 W.
It is a gas-fired power plant with a capacity of 54.3 MW, operating as a combined heat and power facility.
The plant is owned and operated by the GSA Metropolitan Service Center, serving the White Oak Federal Research Center.
Gas power plants in the U.S. must comply with the Clean Air Act, including NAAQS, the Acid Rain Program, and CSAPR, which limit emissions of SO2, NOx, and other pollutants.
The plant has a capacity of 54.3 megawatts, placing it in the small-to-medium scale for gas power plants.