Centralia Power Plant
Encyclopedia
Centralia Big Hanaford power plant is a major coal-fired power plant supplemented with newer natural-gas-fired units. It is located east of Centralia, Washington
, United States in Lewis County
. As of 2006, it is the only commercial coal-fired power plant in Washington State. A deal struck in early 2011 will result in both coal boilers being shut down by 2025.
In 2011, a deal was struck between the plant owner and operator, TransAlta
, and local environmentalists to shut down the coal boilers. The first would be shut down in 2020, and the second in 2025, with a schedule of emissions reductions to be met along the way. The Washington State Senate
approved the deal with a 36-13 vote.
combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) units, and the fifth is an 80-MWe combined cycle unit. In a combined cycle arrangement electric power is created from the output of two turbogenerators. In this case one generator is driven by a gas-fired turbine, and the other is driven by a steam turbine wherein the steam is created from the hot exhaust from the companion gas-fired turbine. The output from each CCGT is the combination of their two generators.
, which was a strip mine and the largest coal mine in the state of Washington, until it closed down on November 27, 2006. Currently, the coal is delivered by rail from Montana and Wyoming. Recent rail upgrades to the Centralia Power Plant, and SO4 scrubber upgrades to ensure plant releases less pollution, will ensure the plant runs for at least another 15-20 years. Centralia currently burns nine 110 car coal trains a week.
All of the mining area is currently being reclaimed. When TransAlta bought the plant in 2000, it agreed to reduce emissions. It installed US $200 million worth of scrubbers on the plant, which were purchased from ABB Environmental Systems. As of 2011, the plant is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state.
and ABB Environmental Systems.
(47.5%), Avista Energy (15%), Seattle City Light
(8%), Snohomish County PUD
(8%), Tacoma Power
(8%), Puget Sound Energy
(7%), Grays Harbor County PUD (4%), and Portland General Electric
(2.5%).
Plans to sell the plant began in 1998. In 2000, Portland General Electric sold its 2.5 percent share to Avista Energy, shortly before the plant was sold in its entirety to TransAlta Corporation for $554 million that same year.
Centralia, Washington
Centralia is a city in Lewis County, Washington, United States. The population was 16,336 at the 2010 census.-History:In pioneer days, Centralia was the halfway stopover point for stagecoaches operating between the Columbia River and Seattle. In 1850, J. G. Cochran came from Missouri with his...
, United States in Lewis County
Lewis County, Washington
Lewis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. As of 2010, the population was 75,455. The county seat is at Chehalis, and its largest city is Centralia....
. As of 2006, it is the only commercial coal-fired power plant in Washington State. A deal struck in early 2011 will result in both coal boilers being shut down by 2025.
Coal fired
The two identical coal-fired generating units have a combined capacity of 1,340 MW. The units were launched in 1972 and 1973.In 2011, a deal was struck between the plant owner and operator, TransAlta
TransAlta
TransAlta Corporation is a power generation and wholesale marketing company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta.TransAlta maintains a low-to-moderate risk profile by operating a highly contracted portfolio of assets in Canada, the United States and Australia...
, and local environmentalists to shut down the coal boilers. The first would be shut down in 2020, and the second in 2025, with a schedule of emissions reductions to be met along the way. The Washington State Senate
Washington State Senate
The Washington State Senate is the upper house of the Washington State Legislature. The body consists of 49 senators, each representing a district with a population of nearly 120,000. The State Senate meets at the Legislative Building in Olympia....
approved the deal with a 36-13 vote.
Gas fired
In 2002, the plant capacity was supplemented with five natural gas-fired units. Four of them are 60-MWeMWE
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...
combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) units, and the fifth is an 80-MWe combined cycle unit. In a combined cycle arrangement electric power is created from the output of two turbogenerators. In this case one generator is driven by a gas-fired turbine, and the other is driven by a steam turbine wherein the steam is created from the hot exhaust from the companion gas-fired turbine. The output from each CCGT is the combination of their two generators.
Fuel supply
Seventy percent of subbituminous coal used by the plant was delivered by truck from the nearby Centralia Coal MineCentralia Coal Mine
Centralia Coal Mine is an open-pit coal mine, owned by the Canadian based TransAlta Corporation. The mine is currently shut down. Also referred to as the TransAlta Centralia Mining operation, the coal mine is located approximately northeast of the city of Centralia, in Lewis County, in the US...
, which was a strip mine and the largest coal mine in the state of Washington, until it closed down on November 27, 2006. Currently, the coal is delivered by rail from Montana and Wyoming. Recent rail upgrades to the Centralia Power Plant, and SO4 scrubber upgrades to ensure plant releases less pollution, will ensure the plant runs for at least another 15-20 years. Centralia currently burns nine 110 car coal trains a week.
Environmental and public impacts
Annually, this coal plant emits 350 pounds of mercury pollution, making it the state's largest single source of mercury pollution. Mercury pollution is a bio cumulative neuro-toxin which causes brain damage in humans and is especially dangerous for children and pregnant or nursing mothers.All of the mining area is currently being reclaimed. When TransAlta bought the plant in 2000, it agreed to reduce emissions. It installed US $200 million worth of scrubbers on the plant, which were purchased from ABB Environmental Systems. As of 2011, the plant is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state.
Contractors for the power plant
The design and construction of the new plant were by Stone & WebsterStone & Webster
Stone & Webster is an American engineering services company based in Stoughton, Massachusetts. Stone & Webster was founded as an electrical testing lab and consulting firm by electrical engineers Charles Stone and Edwin Webster in 1889. It was acquired by The Shaw Group in 2000. The company...
and ABB Environmental Systems.
Ownership
From the early 1970s until 2000, the plant was owned by eight utilities: PacifiCorpPacifiCorp
PacifiCorp is an electric power company in the northwestern United States.PacifiCorp has three primary subsidiaries:# Pacific Power is a regulated electric utility with service territory throughout Oregon, northern California, and southeastern Washington.# Rocky Mountain Power is a regulated...
(47.5%), Avista Energy (15%), Seattle City Light
Seattle City Light
Seattle City Light is the public utility providing electrical power to Seattle, Washington and parts of its metropolitan area, including all of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park and parts of unincorporated King County, Burien, Normandy Park, Seatac, Renton, and Tukwila...
(8%), Snohomish County PUD
Snohomish County PUD
Snohomish County Public Utility District is a public utility providing power to 320,000 customers in Snohomish County and on Camano Island, Washington. It provides water service to over 20,000 customers in the northeast section of the Snohomish County....
(8%), Tacoma Power
Tacoma Power
Tacoma Power is a public utility providing electrical power to Tacoma, Washington and the surrounding areas. Tacoma Power serves the cities of Tacoma, Fircrest, University Place, and Fife, and also provides service to parts of Steilacoom, Lakewood and unincorporated Pierce County...
(8%), Puget Sound Energy
Puget Sound Energy
Puget Sound Energy is Washington state's oldest local energy utility providing electrical power and natural gas in the Puget Sound region of the northwest United States...
(7%), Grays Harbor County PUD (4%), and Portland General Electric
Portland General Electric
Portland General Electric is an electrical utility based in Portland in the U.S. state of Oregon. It distributes electricity to customers in parts of Multnomah, Clackamas, Marion, Yamhill, Washington, and Polk counties - half of the inhabitants of Oregon...
(2.5%).
Plans to sell the plant began in 1998. In 2000, Portland General Electric sold its 2.5 percent share to Avista Energy, shortly before the plant was sold in its entirety to TransAlta Corporation for $554 million that same year.