North 1st Gas Power Plant, New York City | New York Power Authority

North 1st is a gas-fired power plant located in New York City, New York, United States. With a capacity of 47 MW, it is a small-scale facility within the country's diverse power generation sector. The plant is owned and operated by the New York Power Authority, a public benefit corporation. The plant operates on natural gas, a cleaner-burning fossil fuel compared to coal. In the United States, gas plants are subject to emissions regulations under the Clean Air Act, including New Source Performance Standards and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. North 1st plays a role in meeting the electricity demands of New York City, one of the most densely populated urban areas in the country. Its location in a major city underscores the importance of reliable power generation for residential, commercial, and industrial users. The plant's relatively small capacity suggests it may serve as a peaking unit or support local distribution.

As a gas-fired power plant, North 1st produces lower CO2 emissions per MWh compared to coal plants, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its location in a densely populated urban area means local air quality impacts from NOx and SOx emissions are a concern, though modern gas plants often employ emissions control technologies. Older gas turbines may have higher emissions than newer combined cycle units.