Overview
Laurel Dam is a 70 MW hydroelectric power plant operated by the USCE-Nashville District in Kentucky, United States. It provides renewable energy to the regional grid.
Laurel Dam is a hydroelectric power plant located in Kentucky, United States, with an installed capacity of 70 megawatts (MW). Operated by the USCE-Nashville District, the facility is currently operational and contributes to the region's renewable energy portfolio. As a hydroelectric plant, it harnesses the flow of water to generate electricity without direct fuel combustion. The plant's capacity of 70 MW places it in the small-to-medium scale range for hydroelectric facilities in the United States. Hydroelectric power plants like Laurel Dam are subject to federal regulations under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensing and environmental compliance. The facility operates under a license that ensures adherence to water quality standards, fish passage requirements, and other environmental protections. Laurel Dam plays a role in supporting grid stability and providing low-carbon electricity to the surrounding area. Its operation contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel-based generation. The plant's location in Kentucky, a state with a mix of coal and renewable energy sources, underscores the importance of hydroelectric power in diversifying the energy mix.
Environmental context
Hydroelectric power generation at Laurel Dam involves minimal direct air emissions, but it can affect local aquatic ecosystems through changes in water flow and temperature. The facility's operation is regulated to mitigate impacts on fish populations and water quality. Located in a region with significant rainfall, the dam's reservoir may also influence local hydrology and sediment transport.
Frequently asked questions
Laurel Dam is located in Kentucky, United States, at coordinates 36.9614 N, -84.2700 W.
Laurel Dam has an installed capacity of 70 megawatts (MW), making it a small-to-medium scale hydroelectric facility.
Laurel Dam is operated by the USCE-Nashville District, a division of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Hydroelectric plants in the US are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under the Federal Power Act, and must comply with the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other federal and state environmental laws.
Hydroelectric power generation can alter river ecosystems, affect fish migration, and change water temperature and flow. However, it produces no direct air emissions and is a renewable energy source.