Homer City Generating Station
Encyclopedia
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. It employs about 260 people, and generates enough electricity to supply two million household
s.
, occupying approximately 2400 acres (9.7 km²). The site also includes the 1800 acres (7.3 km²) Two Lick Reservoir, a water conservation facility which is operated by the station.
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. 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.
CNN
online edition reported that six workers were injured on Thursday, February 10, 2011, when a six-inch, high-pressure steam pipe ruptured and caused an explosion on the sixth floor of a building. Three men were flown by medical helicopter to Pittsburgh hospitals, where they are listed in fair condition. Three others were taken to an Indiana County hospital where they were treated and released. The blast happened about 7:45 AM on Power Plant Road off of Route 119. The company says the plant has an "exceptional" safety record with only one incident reported in the last 856 days. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
has been called in to investigate the cause of the explosion. In the meantime, the unit where the explosion occurred has been shut down. No power interruptions will occur.
various pretreatment facilities, used and discharged through various environmental treatment facilities and returned to
Two Lick Creek
and Blacklick Creek
.From there the Black Lick enters the Conemaugh River
, which goes on to meet the Loyalhanna River, creating the Kiskiminetas River
, before entering the Allegheny River
.
, sulfur dioxide
, carbon dioxide
, and other toxic or damaging chemicals. A scrubber
was added in 1998 which reduced mercury output.
(DEP) 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.
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, the second tallest in North America, and the tallest in the United States. On clear days, it is possible to spot the chimney from as far south as Greensburg, Pennsylvania
and as far east as Ebensburg, Pennsylvania
.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, USA. It is owned by Edison International
Edison International
Edison International is a public utility holding company based in Rosemead, California. Its subsidiaries include Southern California Edison, and un-regulated non-utility assets Edison Mission Energy and Midwest Generation, power producers, and Edison Capital...
and operated by its subsidiary Midwest Generation. Units 1 and 2, rated at 660 MWe
MWE
MWE may refer to:*Manufacturer's Weight Empty*McDermott Will & Emery*Midwest Express, an airline*Merowe Airport - IATA code*Multiword expressionMWe may refer to:*Megawatt electrical...
, were launched into operation in 1969. Unit 3, rated at 692 MWe nameplate capacity, was launched in 1977. It employs about 260 people, and generates enough electricity to supply two million household
Household
The household is "the basic residential unit in which economic production, consumption, inheritance, child rearing, and shelter are organized and carried out"; [the household] "may or may not be synonymous with family"....
s.
Location
The station is located in Center Township, Indiana County, PennsylvaniaCenter Township, Indiana County, Pennsylvania
Center Township is a township in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,876 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-History:Center Township was created in...
, occupying approximately 2400 acres (9.7 km²). The site also includes the 1800 acres (7.3 km²) Two Lick Reservoir, a water conservation facility which is operated by the station.
Coal supply
As of 2005, bituminous coalBituminous coal
Bituminous coal or black coal is a relatively soft coal containing a tarlike substance called bitumen. It is of higher quality than lignite coal but of poorer quality than Anthracite...
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
Pittsburgh coal seam
The Pittsburgh Coal Seam is the thickest and most extensive coal bed in the Appalachian Basin; hence, it is the most economically important coal beds in the eastern United States. The Upper Pennsylvanian Pittsburgh coal bed of the Monongahela Group is extensive and continuous, extending over...
coal. A flue gas desulfurization
Flue gas desulfurization
Sulfur dioxide is one of the elements forming acid rain. Tall flue-gas stacks disperse emissions by diluting the pollutants in ambient air and transporting them to other regions....
unit (scrubber) was added to Unit 3 which allows the unit to burn local coal. But now with diminishing local coal and mines to support it, they have reopened the train track that runs through Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, USA. The university is northeast of Pittsburgh. It is the largest university in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and is the commonwealth's fifth largest university...
and now supplies are brought in by train.
History
Until its construction in the 1960s by the Pennsylvania Electric Co. (PennElec) and others, much of the property was owned by the Benamati family who continue to reside in and around Homer City. The property was originally acquired by Giovanni Batista Benamati in the 1920s. Benamati, who immigrated from Malcesine, Italy, acquired the property from the Houston family, many of whom were buried in a family plot on the Benamati farm. Giovanni's son, John, owned one of two farms that would eventually be acquired by the electricity consortium. Another of the two farms was acquired in about 1950 by Thomas Guy Benamati, another of Giovanni's sons. Thomas raised turkeys until 1952 when he sold the property to his brother Peter. Peter continued to operate the farm until he sold it to PennElec. Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, the family managed to survive raising turkeys, practicing family-farm agriculture, and carrying on other sustaining occupations such as delivering milk to dairies and long-haul trucking.CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
online edition reported that six workers were injured on Thursday, February 10, 2011, when a six-inch, high-pressure steam pipe ruptured and caused an explosion on the sixth floor of a building. Three men were flown by medical helicopter to Pittsburgh hospitals, where they are listed in fair condition. Three others were taken to an Indiana County hospital where they were treated and released. The blast happened about 7:45 AM on Power Plant Road off of Route 119. The company says the plant has an "exceptional" safety record with only one incident reported in the last 856 days. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. It was created by Congress of the United States under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, signed by President Richard M. Nixon, on December 29, 1970...
has been called in to investigate the cause of the explosion. In the meantime, the unit where the explosion occurred has been shut down. No power interruptions will occur.
Water use
Boiler water make up, condenser cooling water and potable water is taken from Two Lick Creek, processed throughvarious pretreatment facilities, used and discharged through various environmental treatment facilities and returned to
Two Lick Creek
Two Lick Creek
Two Lick Creek is a drainage basin measuring approximately , and is the largest tributary of Blacklick Creek, located in Indiana County, Pennsylvania.-External links:*...
and Blacklick Creek
Blacklick Creek (Pennsylvania)
Blacklick Creek is a tributary of the Conemaugh River, approximately 30 mi long, in western Pennsylvania in the United States....
.From there the Black Lick enters the Conemaugh River
Conemaugh River
The Conemaugh River is a long tributary of the Kiskiminetas River in Westmoreland, Indiana, and Cambria counties in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.- Course :...
, which goes on to meet the Loyalhanna River, creating the Kiskiminetas River
Kiskiminetas River
The Kiskiminetas River is a tributary of the Allegheny River, approximately long, in Western Pennsylvania in the United States...
, before entering the Allegheny River
Allegheny River
The Allegheny River is a principal tributary of the Ohio River; it is located in the Eastern United States. The Allegheny River joins with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River at the "Point" of Point State Park in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
.
Pollution
This plant is a major polluter, ranking highly both nationally and within the state, recently releasing 8500000 pound 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 mercuryMercury (element)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
, sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide is the chemical compound with the formula . It is released by volcanoes and in various industrial processes. Since coal and petroleum often contain sulfur compounds, their combustion generates sulfur dioxide unless the sulfur compounds are removed before burning the fuel...
, carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
, and other toxic or damaging chemicals. A scrubber
Scrubber
Scrubber systems are a diverse group of air pollution control devices that can be used to remove some particulates and/or gases from industrial exhaust streams. Traditionally, the term "scrubber" has referred to pollution control devices that use liquid to wash unwanted pollutants from a gas stream...
was added in 1998 which reduced mercury output.
Mercury pollution
- In 1998, Homer City Generating Station produced a total (air and other) of 2963 pounds (1,344 kg) of mercury according to the Environmental Working GroupEnvironmental Working GroupThe Environmental Working Group is an American environmental organization that specializes in research and advocacy in the areas of toxic chemicals, agricultural subsidies, public lands, and corporate accountability...
. - In 2002, one source (Clear the Air (Hong Kong)Clear the Air (Hong Kong)Clear The Air is a voluntary organisation aiming at reducing air pollution in Hong Kong. It was founded on 10 December 1997 as a Society under the Societies Ordinance . It is self-sustained and is supported by individual membership fees and member donations.爭氣 means "fighting for air" and "living...
) claims its air output of mercury was 545 pounds (247.2 kg). - For 2003 another source (Environment Maine Research and Policy Center) claims it produced 665 pounds (301.6 kg) of mercury air pollution.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) pollution
- In 1995, Homer City put out 127383 pound of SO2.
- In 2003, Homer City put out 151262 pound of SO2 and was ranked SO2 polluter #4 in the nation.
Selenium in wastewater discharges
In 2007, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental ProtectionPennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection was established on July 1, 1995, is the agency in the U.S. State of Pennsylvania responsible for protecting and preserving the land, air, water, and energy resources through enforcement of the State's environmental laws...
(DEP) 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
Selenium
Selenium is a chemical element with atomic number 34, chemical symbol Se, and an atomic mass of 78.96. It is a nonmetal, whose properties are intermediate between those of adjacent chalcogen elements sulfur and tellurium...
, total suspended solids, and biochemical oxygen demand in its wastewater
Wastewater
Wastewater is any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influence. It comprises liquid waste discharged by domestic residences, commercial properties, industry, and/or agriculture and can encompass a wide range of potential contaminants and concentrations...
discharges, and allowed unpermitted discharges of stormwater
Stormwater
Stormwater is water that originates during precipitation events. It may also be used to apply to water that originates with snowmelt that enters the stormwater system...
associated with its flue gas desulfurization
Flue gas desulfurization
Sulfur dioxide is one of the elements forming acid rain. Tall flue-gas stacks disperse emissions by diluting the pollutants in ambient air and transporting them to other regions....
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.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
According to Public Citizen: "The plant ranks #33 in the nation for total CO2 emissions, contributing 13,745,174 tons of the pollutant primarily responsible for global warming to our atmosphere." The organization Carbon Monitoring for Action (CARMA) reported in 2007 that this plant emitted 12,800,000 tons of CO2 and also ranked the facility as 33rd largest CO2 emitter in the United States.Architectural mention
Chimney
A chimney is a structure for venting hot flue gases or smoke from a boiler, stove, furnace or fireplace to the outside atmosphere. Chimneys are typically vertical, or as near as possible to vertical, to ensure that the gases flow smoothly, drawing air into the combustion in what is known as the...
, which was built in 1977. This chimney is currently the third tallest chimney in the world, the second tallest in North America, and the tallest in the United States. On clear days, it is possible to spot the chimney from as far south as Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Greensburg is a city in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States, and a part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The city is named after Nathanael Greene, a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War...
and as far east as Ebensburg, Pennsylvania
Ebensburg, Pennsylvania
Ebensburg is a borough located in, and is the seat of, Cambria County, Pennsylvania, west of Altoona and surrounded by Cambria Township. It is situated in the Alleghenies about 2025 feet above sea level. Ebensburg is located in a rich bituminous coal region. In the past, saw mills, tanneries,...
.
See also
External links
- 2005 toxic output numbers
- Dirtiest Plants 2003
- Post Gazette article
- Environmental Working Group article Mercury Falling
- Pennsylvania plant rankings
- Public Citizen mention of pollution from Homer City power plant
- Survey of major mercury polluters in USA
- Mention of Homer City scrubber
- Diagram of Unit 3 - Skyscraper Page