Overview
Los Angeles Refinery Wilmington is a 68.5 MW gas power plant in California, USA, operated by Phillips 66. It supports refinery operations and local grid stability.
Los Angeles Refinery Wilmington is a gas-fired power generation facility located in Wilmington, California, within the Los Angeles metropolitan area. With a capacity of 68.5 MW, it is a small-scale plant that primarily serves the energy needs of the adjacent Phillips 66 refinery and contributes to the local power grid. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and its National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). As a gas-fired facility, it benefits from lower emissions of sulfur dioxide (SOx) and particulate matter compared to coal plants, but still must comply with emissions limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide. The plant's technology is typical for a refinery cogeneration unit, providing both electricity and steam for industrial processes. Located in a densely populated and industrialized region, the plant plays a role in meeting the energy demands of Southern California while adhering to stringent state and federal environmental regulations. Its operation supports the refinery's efficiency and reduces reliance on grid electricity, contributing to energy security in the area.
Environmental context
The plant's gas-fired operation results in lower CO2 emissions per MWh compared to coal, but it still contributes to regional greenhouse gas emissions. Its location in the Los Angeles Basin, an area with high population density and existing air quality challenges, means that NOx emissions from the plant are subject to strict local and federal limits under the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) rules. The facility's age and technology (likely a combined heat and power unit) influence its efficiency and environmental footprint.
Frequently asked questions
Los Angeles Refinery Wilmington is located in Wilmington, California, within the Los Angeles metropolitan area, United States.
The plant has a capacity of 68.5 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale gas power plant.
The plant is owned and operated by Phillips 66, an American energy company.
Gas power plants in the U.S. must comply with the Clean Air Act (CAA), including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), and may be subject to state-specific rules such as those from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and local air districts.
The plant provides electricity and steam for the adjacent Phillips 66 refinery, reducing demand on the regional grid and enhancing energy reliability in Southern California.