Overview
Fore River Generating Station is a 872.2 MW gas-fired power plant in Massachusetts, USA, operated by Calpine Fore River Energy Center LLC. It supplies electricity to the regional grid.
Fore River Generating Station is a gas-fired power plant located in Massachusetts, United States, with a capacity of 872.2 MW. The facility is owned and operated by Calpine Fore River Energy Center LLC and is currently operational, contributing to the region's power generation mix. The plant operates on natural gas, a cleaner-burning fossil fuel compared to coal, and its capacity places it in the large-scale category for gas power plants. In the United States, gas-fired plants like this one are subject to environmental regulations under the Clean Air Act, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), which limit emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). As a major generation asset in the New England power market, Fore River Generating Station plays a key role in meeting electricity demand for the surrounding communities. Its modern gas turbine technology likely contributes to efficient and flexible operation, supporting grid reliability and integration of renewable energy sources.
Environmental context
The plant's use of natural gas results in lower CO2 emissions per MWh compared to coal, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its location near the Fore River and proximity to populated areas may raise local air quality considerations, regulated under the Clean Air Act. The facility's age and technology (likely combined cycle) influence its environmental footprint, with modern CCGT plants achieving higher efficiency and lower emissions.
Frequently asked questions
Fore River Generating Station is located in Massachusetts, United States, near the Fore River. The exact coordinates are 42.2422° N, -70.9661° W.
Fore River Generating Station has a capacity of 872.2 megawatts (MW), making it a large-scale gas-fired power plant.
The plant is owned and operated by Calpine Fore River Energy Center LLC.
Gas power plants in the USA must comply with the Clean Air Act, including NAAQS for local air quality, the Acid Rain Program for SO2, and CSAPR for NOx emissions. They may also need to meet Best Available Control Technology (BACT) standards.
As a 872.2 MW gas plant, Fore River Generating Station provides baseload and peaking power to the New England grid, supporting reliability and complementing renewable energy sources.