Overview
Paxton Creek Cogeneration is a 12.6 MW gas-fired power plant in Pennsylvania, United States, owned by Energy Center Paxton LLC. It operates as a cogeneration facility, providing both electricity and thermal energy.
Paxton Creek Cogeneration is a gas-fired power plant located in Pennsylvania, United States, with a capacity of 12.6 MW. Owned by Energy Center Paxton LLC, the facility is operational and classified as a cogeneration plant, meaning it produces both electricity and useful heat. This scale places it in the small-to-medium category for gas power plants in the US. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and associated programs such as the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the Acid Rain Program. As a gas-fired facility, it benefits from lower emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter compared to coal plants, though it still must comply with emissions limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO). Paxton Creek Cogeneration contributes to the local energy grid and may serve industrial or commercial customers with its combined heat and power capabilities. Its location in Pennsylvania places it within a region with a diverse energy mix, including natural gas, nuclear, and renewables. The plant's cogeneration design enhances overall efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and emissions per unit of energy output.
Environmental context
As a gas-fired cogeneration plant, Paxton Creek Cogeneration has a lower carbon footprint compared to coal-fired plants, but still emits CO2 and NOx. Its capacity of 12.6 MW is relatively small, limiting its overall environmental impact. The plant's location in Pennsylvania, a state with significant natural gas production, means it likely sources fuel locally. Proximity to populated areas could influence local air quality, but cogeneration efficiency helps mitigate emissions.
Frequently asked questions
Paxton Creek Cogeneration is located in Pennsylvania, United States, at coordinates 40.2653, -76.8771.
Paxton Creek Cogeneration is a gas-fired cogeneration plant, meaning it produces both electricity and thermal energy (heat). It has a capacity of 12.6 MW.
The plant is owned by Energy Center Paxton LLC.
Gas power plants in the US 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). These regulations limit emissions of SO2, NOx, and other pollutants.
Cogeneration, or combined heat and power (CHP), improves overall efficiency by capturing waste heat for use in heating or industrial processes. This reduces fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to separate electricity and heat generation.