Overview
Marshalltown is a 189 MW gas power plant in Iowa, operated by Interstate Power and Light Co. It supplies electricity to the regional grid under US EPA regulatory frameworks.
Marshalltown is a gas-fired power generation facility located in Marshalltown, Iowa, United States. With a capacity of 189 MW, it operates as a medium-scale plant within the US power sector, contributing to the region's energy mix. The facility is owned and operated by Interstate Power and Light Co, a utility serving customers in the Midwest. The plant utilizes natural gas as its primary fuel, a cleaner-burning fossil fuel compared to coal. It operates under the regulatory oversight of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), complying with the Clean Air Act (CAA) standards, including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the Acid Rain Program. The facility's technology and emissions controls are designed to meet federal and state environmental requirements. Marshalltown plays a key role in local grid reliability, providing dispatchable power to balance intermittent renewable sources. Its location in Iowa, a state with growing wind energy capacity, positions it as a flexible backup resource. The plant's operational status ensures continued electricity supply for residential, commercial, and industrial consumers in the region.
Environmental context
As a gas-fired plant, Marshalltown emits lower levels of CO2, SOx, and NOx compared to coal-fired units, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its location in a moderately populated area of Iowa means local air quality impacts are subject to EPA NAAQS compliance. The plant's age and technology (likely combined cycle or simple cycle) influence its efficiency and environmental footprint. Proximity to agricultural land and communities requires adherence to state and federal emission limits.
Frequently asked questions
The Marshalltown gas power plant is located in Marshalltown, Iowa, United States, at coordinates 42.047400, -92.859400.
The Marshalltown power plant has a capacity of 189 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale gas-fired facility.
The Marshalltown gas plant is owned and operated by Interstate Power and Light Co, a utility company serving customers in the Midwest.
US gas power plants must comply with the Clean Air Act (CAA), including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), the Acid Rain Program, and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR).
Marshalltown provides dispatchable natural gas power to the regional grid, supporting reliability and balancing intermittent renewable sources like wind energy in Iowa.