Overview
Packaging of America Tomahawk Mill is an operational gas power plant in Wisconsin, USA, with a capacity of 18.7 MW, serving the industrial energy needs of the PCA-Tomahawk Mill facility.
Packaging of America Tomahawk Mill is a gas-fired power generation facility located in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, United States. With a capacity of 18.7 MW, it operates as a small-scale industrial power plant, primarily supporting the energy demands of the PCA-Tomahawk Mill paper packaging facility. The plant is currently operational and plays a key role in the local industrial energy infrastructure. The facility utilizes natural gas as its primary fuel, a cleaner-burning fossil fuel compared to coal or oil. In the United States, gas power plants are subject to federal regulations under the Clean Air Act, including New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). The plant's relatively small capacity suggests it may use reciprocating engines or gas turbines typical for industrial cogeneration or backup power. Environmentally, the plant's gas-fired operation results in lower emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter compared to coal plants, but still contributes to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Its location in a rural area of Wisconsin minimizes direct impact on densely populated zones. The facility supports the operational reliability of the packaging mill, contributing to the regional economy and industrial output.
Environmental context
The plant's gas-fired operation produces lower SOx and NOx emissions compared to coal, but CO2 emissions remain a concern. Located in a rural area of Wisconsin, it has limited direct impact on populated regions. The facility's small capacity and modern gas technology likely result in a moderate environmental footprint, consistent with typical industrial gas plants in the US.
Frequently asked questions
Packaging of America Tomahawk Mill is located in Tomahawk, Wisconsin, United States, at coordinates 45.443100, -89.734200.
The facility has a capacity of 18.7 megawatts (MW), making it a small-scale gas power plant.
The plant is owned by PCA-Tomahawk Mill, a subsidiary of Packaging Corporation of America.
Gas power plants in the US must comply with the Clean Air Act, including New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for emissions of NOx, SO2, and CO2, as well as state-level environmental regulations.
Small gas power plants like this one produce lower emissions of sulfur dioxide and particulate matter compared to coal plants, but still emit carbon dioxide. Their environmental impact is generally moderate, especially in rural settings.