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{{POV-check|date=December 2007}}
{{Infobox Power Station
|station_name=Homer City Generating Station
|image= HCGeneratingTowers.JPG
|caption=
|location=[[Center Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania]]
|owner=[[Edison International]]
|status=Active
|fuel_type=[[Bituminous coal]]
|mine_type=Local Pennsylvania, or Western Pennsylvania Pittsburgh seam
|conveyance=Rail
|cooling_water=Two Lick Reservoir, [[Two Lick Creek]], and [[Blacklick Creek (Pennsylvania)|Blacklick Creek]]
|technology=Steam
|combined_cycle=
|turbines=[[Steam turbine]]
|reciprocating_engines=
|pumped_storage=
|max_capacity=2,022 [[MWe]]
|commissioned=Units 1, 2: 1969; Unit 3 1977
|decommissioned=
|extra=
}}

'''Homer City Generating Station''' is a 2-[[Gigawatt|GW]] coal-burning power station near [[Homer City]], in [[Indiana County]], [[Pennsylvania]], USA. It is owned by [[Edison International]] and operated by its subsidiary [[Midwest Generation]]. '''Units 1 and 2''', rated at 660 [[MWe]], were launched into operation in 1969. '''Unit 3''', rated at 692 MWe nameplate capacity, was launched in 1977.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Existing Electric Generating Units in the United States, 2006
| work =
| publisher = [[Energy Information Administration]], U.S. Department of Energy
| year = 2006
| url = http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/page/capacity/capacity.html
| format = Excel
| doi =
| accessdate = 2008-07-14}}</ref> It employs about 260 people (75% union workers), and generates enough electricity to supply two million [[household]]s.<ref name=HC>{{cite web
| title = Homer City Generating Station
| work =
| publisher = [[Edison International]]
| year = 2005
| url = http://www.edison.com/files/2005_factsheet_homercity.pdf
| format = [[PDF]]
| doi =
| accessdate = 2008-08-02}}</ref>

==Location==
The station is located in [[Center Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania]], occupying approximately {{convert|2400|acre|km2}}. The site also includes the {{convert|1800|acre|km2|adj=on}} Two Lick Reservoir, a water conservation facility which is operated by the station.<ref name=HC/>

==Coal supply==
As of 2005, bituminous coal was delivered to the Homer City Generating Station by truck. Units 1 and 2 burned local Pennsylvania coal (that is cleaned on site in a coal cleaning plant) or Western Pennsylvania Pittsburgh seam coal. A [[flue gas desulfurization]] unit (scrubber) was added to Unit 3 which allows the unit to burn local coal.<ref name=HC/> But now with diminishing local coal and mines to support it, they have reopened the train track that runs through [[Indiana University of Pennsylvania]] and now supplies are brought in by train.{{Fact|date=January 2008}}

==Water use==
Boiler water make up, condenser cooling water and potable water is taken from Two Lick Creek, processed through
various pretreatment facilities, used and discharged through various environmental treatment facilities and returned to
[[Two Lick Creek]] and [[Blacklick Creek (Pennsylvania)|Blacklick Creek]].<ref name=HC/>
[[Image:HCGeneratingCoolingTowers.JPG|thumb|right|200px]]

==Pollution==
This plant is a major [[polluter]], ranking highly both nationally and within the state, recently releasing {{convert|8500000|lb|metric ton}} of [[toxic]] chemicals according to the ''[[Pittsburgh Post Gazette]]''. Pennsylvania has ranked it the #2 polluter in the state. Homer City Generating Station releases huge amounts of [[Mercury (element)|mercury]], [[sulfur dioxide]], [[carbon dioxide]], and other toxic or damaging chemicals. A [[scrubber]] was added in [[1998]] which reduced mercury output.

===Mercury pollution===
* In 1998, Homer City Generating Station produced a total (air and other) of {{convert|2963|lb|kg}} of mercury according to the [[Environmental Working Group]].
* In 2002, one source (cleartheair.org) claims its air output of mercury was {{convert|545|lb|kg}}.
* For 2003 another source ([[Environment Maine Research and Policy Center]]) claims it produced {{convert|665|lb|kg}} of mercury air pollution.

=== Sulfur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) pollution===
* In 1995, Homer City put out {{convert|127383|lb|metric ton}} of SO<sub>2</sub>.
* In 2003, Homer City put out {{convert|151262|lb|metric ton}} of SO<sub>2</sub> and was ranked SO<sub>2</sub> polluter #4 in the nation.

===Selenium in wastewater discharges===
In 2007, [[Department of Environmental Protection]] (DEP) has fined the owners of the Homer City electricity generating station, EME Homer City Generation LP, $200,000 for violating the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law. The station exceeded its permitted effluent standards for [[selenium]], total suspended solids, and biochemical oxygen demand in its [[wastewater]] discharges, and allowed unpermitted discharges of [[stormwater]] associated with its [[flue gas desulfurization]] scrubbers. "The facility has exceeded the effluent standards of its permit numerous times between December 2001 and the present, and this pattern of violations has to be addressed," DEP Southwest Regional Director Kenneth Bowman was quoted saying.<ref>{{cite web
| title = DEP fines Homer City generating station $200,000 for selenium discharges
| work =
| publisher = Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
| year = 2007
| date = July 13, 2007
| url = http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=465447
| format =
| doi =
| accessdate = 2008-08-02}}</ref>

===Carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions===
In 2003, Homer City put out {{convert|14000000|lb|metric ton}} of CO<sub>2</sub> and was ranked CO<sub>2</sub> emitter #28 in the nation.

According to Public Citizen: "The plant ranks #33 in the nation for total CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, contributing 13,745,174 tons{{dubious}} of the pollutant primarily responsible for global warming to our atmosphere."

==Architectural Mention==
[[Image:HomerCityPowerPlant.jpg|View of the power plant from [[Homer-Center High School]]|thumb|right|444px]]
The plant's Unit 3 has a 371 metre (1,217 ft.) tall [[chimney]], which was built in 1977. This chimney is currently the third tallest chimney in the world, and the tallest in the United States. On clear days, it is possible to spot the chimney from as far south as [[Greensburg, Pennsylvania]]. Also on clear days, you can see the Pittsburgh Airport, which is 50 miles away.{{Fact|date=January 2008}}

==See also==
*[[List of chimneys]]
*[[List of towers]]
*[[List of tallest freestanding structures in the world]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.theoec.org/pdfs/pressrelease/hottopics_pr_ctapotr.pdf 2005 toxic output numbers]
*[http://www.whitehouseforsale.org/documents/dirtiest_plants2.pdf Dirtiest Plants 2003]
*[http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05132/503228.stm Post Gazette article]
*[http://www.ewg.org/reports_content/mercuryfalling/MercuryFalling.pdf Environmental Working Group article Mercury Falling]
*[http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_103122.html Pennsylvania plant rankings]
*[http://www.citizen.org/cmep/energy_enviro_nuclear/electricity/deregulation/articles.cfm?ID=4177 Public Citizen mention of pollution from Homer City power plant]
*[http://www.maine.com/editions/2005-09-15/images/1126280354.pdf Survey of major mercury polluters in USA]
*[http://pa.lwv.org/indiana/pa_rep/index.htm Mention of Homer City scrubber]
*[http://www.skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?b4779 Diagram of Unit 3 - Skyscraper Page]

[[Category:Chimneys]]
[[Category:Coal-fired power stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Energy resource facilities in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Indiana County, Pennsylvania]]

{{supertall chimneys}}

{{coord|40.51083|N|79.19361|W|type:landmark_region:US-PA|display=title}}



[[nl:Elektriciteitscentrale Homer City]]

Revision as of 19:55, 28 September 2008

test

Template:Infobox Power Station

Homer City Generating Station is a 2-GW coal-burning power station near Homer City, in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, USA. It is owned by Edison International and operated by its subsidiary Midwest Generation. Units 1 and 2, rated at 660 MWe, were launched into operation in 1969. Unit 3, rated at 692 MWe nameplate capacity, was launched in 1977.[1] It employs about 260 people (75% union workers), and generates enough electricity to supply two million households.[2]

Location

The station is located in Center Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, occupying approximately 2,400 acres (9.7 km2). The site also includes the 1,800-acre (7.3 km2) Two Lick Reservoir, a water conservation facility which is operated by the station.[2]

Coal supply

As of 2005, bituminous coal was delivered to the Homer City Generating Station by truck. Units 1 and 2 burned local Pennsylvania coal (that is cleaned on site in a coal cleaning plant) or Western Pennsylvania Pittsburgh seam coal. A flue gas desulfurization unit (scrubber) was added to Unit 3 which allows the unit to burn local coal.[2] But now with diminishing local coal and mines to support it, they have reopened the train track that runs through Indiana University of Pennsylvania and now supplies are brought in by train.[citation needed]

Water use

Boiler water make up, condenser cooling water and potable water is taken from Two Lick Creek, processed through various pretreatment facilities, used and discharged through various environmental treatment facilities and returned to Two Lick Creek and Blacklick Creek.[2]

Pollution

This plant is a major polluter, ranking highly both nationally and within the state, recently releasing 8,500,000 pounds (3,900 metric tons) of toxic chemicals according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Pennsylvania has ranked it the #2 polluter in the state. Homer City Generating Station releases huge amounts of mercury, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and other toxic or damaging chemicals. A scrubber was added in 1998 which reduced mercury output.

Mercury pollution

  • In 1998, Homer City Generating Station produced a total (air and other) of 2,963 pounds (1,344 kg) of mercury according to the Environmental Working Group.
  • In 2002, one source (cleartheair.org) claims its air output of mercury was 545 pounds (247 kg).
  • For 2003 another source (Environment Maine Research and Policy Center) claims it produced 665 pounds (302 kg) of mercury air pollution.

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) pollution

  • In 1995, Homer City put out 127,383 pounds (57.780 metric tons) of SO2.
  • In 2003, Homer City put out 151,262 pounds (68.611 metric tons) of SO2 and was ranked SO2 polluter #4 in the nation.

Selenium in wastewater discharges

In 2007, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has fined the owners of the Homer City electricity generating station, EME Homer City Generation LP, $200,000 for violating the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law. The station exceeded its permitted effluent standards for selenium, total suspended solids, and biochemical oxygen demand in its wastewater discharges, and allowed unpermitted discharges of stormwater associated with its flue gas desulfurization scrubbers. "The facility has exceeded the effluent standards of its permit numerous times between December 2001 and the present, and this pattern of violations has to be addressed," DEP Southwest Regional Director Kenneth Bowman was quoted saying.[3]

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions

In 2003, Homer City put out 14,000,000 pounds (6,400 metric tons) of CO2 and was ranked CO2 emitter #28 in the nation.

According to Public Citizen: "The plant ranks #33 in the nation for total CO2 emissions, contributing 13,745,174 tons[dubious – discuss] of the pollutant primarily responsible for global warming to our atmosphere."

Architectural Mention

View of the power plant from Homer-Center High School

The plant's Unit 3 has a 371 metre (1,217 ft.) tall chimney, which was built in 1977. This chimney is currently the third tallest chimney in the world, and the tallest in the United States. On clear days, it is possible to spot the chimney from as far south as Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Also on clear days, you can see the Pittsburgh Airport, which is 50 miles away.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Existing Electric Generating Units in the United States, 2006" (Excel). Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy. 2006. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  2. ^ a b c d "Homer City Generating Station" (PDF). Edison International. 2005. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  3. ^ "DEP fines Homer City generating station $200,000 for selenium discharges". Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. July 13, 2007. Retrieved 2008-08-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)

40°30′39″N 79°11′37″W / 40.51083°N 79.19361°W / 40.51083; -79.19361

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