Overview
New Hampton is a 26.5 MW gas power plant in New Hampton, Iowa, United States. It is owned by the City of New Hampton and is currently operational.
New Hampton is a gas-fired power plant located in New Hampton, Iowa, United States. With a capacity of 26.5 MW, it is a small-scale facility within the U.S. power generation sector, serving the local community. The plant operates on natural gas, a fuel that offers lower CO2 emissions compared to coal but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. As a gas plant, it likely uses combustion turbine or reciprocating engine technology, common for smaller capacity units. The facility is subject to U.S. EPA regulations under the Clean Air Act, including New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and potentially the Acid Rain Program for SO2 and NOx emissions. Owned by the City of New Hampton, this plant plays a role in local grid reliability and energy independence. Its relatively small size and gas fuel type position it as a flexible generation source, potentially used for peaking or intermediate load. The plant's operational status indicates ongoing contribution to the region's power supply.
Environmental context
The plant's gas fuel type results in lower CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions per MWh compared to coal, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Located in a rural area of Iowa, the facility's emissions may affect local air quality, though dispersion is likely favorable. Smaller gas plants often have lower environmental impact than larger fossil fuel units.
Frequently asked questions
The New Hampton power plant is located in New Hampton, Iowa, United States, at coordinates 43.0689 N, -92.3201 W.
The New Hampton gas power plant has a capacity of 26.5 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale facility.
The New Hampton power plant is owned by the City of New Hampton, Iowa.
Gas power plants in the U.S. are regulated under the Clean Air Act, including New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for emissions of SO2, NOx, and particulate matter, and may be subject to the Acid Rain Program and Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR).
Small gas power plants like New Hampton produce lower emissions per MWh than coal plants, but still emit CO2, NOx, and other pollutants. Their impact depends on operational hours, technology, and local air quality conditions.