Overview
Gaviota Oil Plant is a 14 MW gas-fired power plant in California, USA, operated by Freeport McMoRan Oil & Gas. It provides power generation capacity to the local grid.
Gaviota Oil Plant is a gas-fired power generation facility located in California, United States. With a capacity of 14 MW, it is a small-scale plant within the US power sector, contributing to regional energy supply. The plant is operated by Freeport McMoRan Oil & Gas and is currently operational. The facility uses natural gas as its primary fuel, a common choice for power generation due to its lower emissions compared to coal. As a gas plant, it likely operates under the US Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Act regulations, including New Source Performance Standards and the Acid Rain Program. The plant's relatively small capacity suggests it may serve local or niche demand rather than baseload power. Located in California, the plant operates in a state with ambitious renewable energy goals and stringent environmental regulations. Its role in the local grid is likely supplementary, providing flexibility or peaking capacity. The plant's environmental footprint is influenced by its fuel type and scale, with natural gas offering a cleaner alternative to coal but still contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental context
The Gaviota Oil Plant uses natural gas, which produces lower CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions compared to coal but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its location in California places it under state-level climate policies and the US EPA's regulatory framework. The plant's small capacity (14 MW) limits its overall environmental impact, but proximity to populated areas could raise local air quality considerations.
Frequently asked questions
Gaviota Oil Plant is located in California, United States, at coordinates 34.475100, -120.205100.
Gaviota Oil Plant is a gas-fired power plant with a capacity of 14 MW, using natural gas as its primary fuel.
Gaviota Oil Plant is operated by Freeport McMoRan Oil & Gas.
Gas power plants in the USA are subject to the Clean Air Act, including New Source Performance Standards, the Acid Rain Program, and state-level regulations such as California's cap-and-trade program.
With a capacity of 14 MW, Gaviota Oil Plant is considered small-scale. Typical gas plants range from 100 MW to over 1,000 MW for combined-cycle units.