Overview
Otter Creek Ethanol Poet - Ashton is a 7.5 MW gas power plant in Iowa, United States, owned by Otter Creek Ethanol LLC. It supports local ethanol production with reliable electricity.
Otter Creek Ethanol Poet - Ashton is a gas-fired power plant located in Iowa, United States, with a capacity of 7.5 MW. The facility is owned by Otter Creek Ethanol LLC and is currently operational, serving the energy needs of the adjacent ethanol production facility. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Act, which sets emissions standards for nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. As a relatively small gas plant, it likely uses combustion turbine technology, which offers lower emissions compared to coal-fired units. This facility plays a key role in providing on-site power for ethanol manufacturing, reducing reliance on grid electricity and enhancing energy security for the industrial process. Its location in Iowa, a major agricultural state, aligns with the region's focus on biofuel production.
Environmental context
The plant's gas fuel type results in lower CO2 emissions per MWh compared to coal, but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its small capacity (7.5 MW) limits local air quality impacts, though proximity to agricultural areas may raise concerns about combined emissions from industrial activities. Modern gas plants typically employ efficient combustion systems.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Iowa, United States, near the coordinates 43.2750° N, -95.8097° W, serving the Otter Creek Ethanol facility.
The plant has a capacity of 7.5 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale gas power plant.
The plant is owned by Otter Creek Ethanol LLC, which operates the adjacent ethanol production facility.
As a U.S. facility, it must comply with the Clean Air Act, including emissions limits for NOx and SO2 under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and potentially the Acid Rain Program.
The plant provides on-site electricity for ethanol production, reducing grid demand and supporting industrial operations with reliable power.