Overview
Energy Shelby County is a 483 MW gas power plant in Shelby County, Illinois, owned by Shelby County Energy Center LLC. It operates as a key electricity generation facility in the region.
Energy Shelby County is a natural gas-fired power plant located in Shelby County, Illinois, United States. With a capacity of 483 megawatts, it is a medium-scale facility within the U.S. gas power generation sector. The plant is owned by Shelby County Energy Center LLC and is currently operational. The plant utilizes natural gas as its primary fuel, a common choice for modern power generation due to its lower emissions compared to coal. In the United States, gas plants like this one are subject to federal regulations under the Clean Air Act, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the Acid Rain Program. The facility's technology likely includes combined-cycle or simple-cycle gas turbines, which are typical for plants of this size and fuel type. Energy Shelby County contributes to the regional power grid, serving communities in central Illinois. Its location in a rural area minimizes direct population exposure to emissions. The plant's operational status supports local energy reliability and economic activity, aligning with broader trends in U.S. power generation shifting toward natural gas.
Environmental context
The plant's natural gas fuel source results in lower CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions compared to coal-fired plants, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its location in a rural area reduces immediate air quality impacts on densely populated zones. The facility operates under U.S. EPA regulations, including the Clean Air Act, which sets emission limits to mitigate environmental harm.
Frequently asked questions
Energy Shelby County is located in Shelby County, Illinois, United States, at coordinates 39.279400, -88.477200.
Energy Shelby County has a capacity of 483 megawatts, making it a medium-scale gas power plant.
Energy Shelby County is owned by Shelby County Energy Center LLC.
Gas power plants in the U.S. are regulated under the Clean Air Act, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the Acid Rain Program, and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR).
As a natural gas plant, it emits lower levels of pollutants like SOx and NOx compared to coal plants, but still produces CO2. Its rural location reduces local air quality impacts.