Hancock Gas Power Plant: Michigan, USA - 121.6 MW Facility

Hancock is a natural gas power plant located in Michigan, United States, with a capacity of 121.6 megawatts. Owned by DTE Electric Company, the facility is operational and serves as part of the state's power generation infrastructure. The plant's location near the Great Lakes region places it within a network of energy facilities supporting residential and industrial demand. The plant utilizes natural gas as its primary fuel, a common choice for flexible and relatively lower-emission power generation compared to coal. In the United States, gas plants like Hancock operate under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and related regulations such as the Acid Rain Program and CSAPR, which set emission limits for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants. The capacity of 121.6 MW places it in the small-to-medium scale range for gas plants, often used for peaking or intermediate load. Hancock's operational role is significant for local grid reliability, providing dispatchable power that can complement intermittent renewable sources. As part of DTE Electric's portfolio, it contributes to Michigan's energy mix, which is transitioning toward cleaner generation. The plant's environmental footprint is typical for a gas facility, with lower CO2 emissions per MWh than coal but still subject to ongoing regulatory oversight and efficiency improvements.

The plant's natural gas fuel source results in lower carbon dioxide emissions per megawatt-hour compared to coal, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its location in Michigan, a state with diverse ecosystems including the Great Lakes, means that air emissions from the plant are subject to state and federal air quality standards. The facility's capacity of 121.6 MW suggests a moderate scale, and its operation under DTE Electric implies adherence to corporate sustainability goals and regulatory compliance under the Clean Air Act.