Cleary Flood Hybrid Gas Power Plant, Taunton, Massachusetts

Cleary Flood Hybrid is a gas-fired power plant located in Taunton, Massachusetts, United States. With a capacity of 146.3 MW, it falls within the medium-scale range for gas power plants in the region. The facility is owned and operated by the City of Taunton, serving the local community's electricity needs. As a gas power plant, Cleary Flood Hybrid operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. 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. Gas-fired plants generally have lower emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter compared to coal plants, but still contribute to nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The plant's location in Taunton places it within a populated area of southeastern Massachusetts. Its operational status and capacity indicate a role in meeting local electricity demand, potentially serving as a peaking or intermediate load facility. The use of natural gas aligns with broader trends in the U.S. power sector toward cleaner fossil fuel generation.

The Cleary Flood Hybrid plant uses natural gas, which produces lower CO2 emissions per MWh than coal or oil but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its location in Taunton, a city with a population of around 60,000, means the plant's emissions of NOx and other pollutants can affect local air quality. Gas plants typically have a smaller environmental footprint than older coal plants, but their impact depends on operational practices and regulatory compliance.