Proposed rule to set requirements for water use
A majority of the world’s electricity is generated by steam turbines driving electric generators at power plants. A single turbine can generate an immense amount of electricity with two vital ingredients: heat and water.
Power plants generate heat in large boilers, often fueled by coal, and water is supplied from rivers, oceans and lakes through large intake pipes or canals. Great River Energy operates its steam plants to minimize the impacts of these systems on aquatic life. It also has conducted a number of assessments to improve the performance of its cooling water systems. However, a recently proposed rule by the Environmental Protection Agency will set new requirements for all U.S. power plants.
Under this proposed rule, the majority of power plants will need to conduct biologic and technology studies to determine the best methods for reducing environmental impacts to a measurable standard, and demonstrate performance.
The rule will apply to several Great River Energy facilities, specifically Elk River Energy Recovery Station, which uses water from the Mississippi River in Elk River, Minn., and Stanton Station, which uses water from the Missouri River in central North Dakota. Great River Energy’s largest plant, Coal Creek Station, which is also located in central North Dakota, may also be required to address concerns with the makeup water for its closed cycle cooling system withdrawn from the Missouri River.
Great River Energy has conducted a number of studies on its impact on aquatic ecosystems as part of a previous rule. The company also funds the Electric Power Research Institute 316(b) Fish Protection Program, which researches aquatic organism behavior and technology for reducing impingement and entrainment.
Great River Energy will provide comments on the proposed rule to EPA this summer. A final rule is expected to be in place in two to three years.
Find more news by reading the June edition of Great River News.
