Homer City Generating Station

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Homer City Generating Station is a large 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. Unit 1 produces 620 MW, Unit 2 614 MW, and Unit 3 650 MW for a station total 1,884 net MW.

Contents 1 Coal Supply 2 Architectural Mention 3 Pollution 3.1 Mercury Pollution 3.2 Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Pollution 3.3 Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Pollution 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Coal Supply

The coal was originally mined and transported to the site by trucks. 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]}

[edit] Architectural Mention

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]}

[edit] Pollution

This plant is a major polluter, ranking highly both nationally and within the state, recently releasing 8.5 million pounds 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.

[edit] Mercury Pollution

• In 1998, Homer City Generating Station produced a total (air and other) of 2963 pounds of mercury according to the Environmental Working Group.
• In 2002, one source (cleartheair.org) claims its air output of mercury was 545 pounds.
• For 2003 another source (Environment Maine Research and Policy Center) claims it produced 665 pounds of mercury air pollution.

[edit] Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Pollution

In 2003, Homer City put out 14 million pounds of CO₂ and was ranked CO₂ polluter #28 in the nation.

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."

[edit] Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) Pollution

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

[edit] See also

• List of chimneys
• List of towers
• List of tallest freestanding structures in the world

[edit] References

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2007)

[edit] 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

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• Homer City Generating Station is at coordinates 40°30′39″N 79°11′37″W / 40.51083, -79.19361 (Homer City Generating Station)Coordinates: 40°30′39″N 79°11′37″W / 40.51083, -79.19361 (Homer City Generating Station)