The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final greenhouse gas (GHG) Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) construction permit to the Tenaska Roan's Prairie power plant in Grimes County, Texas. The company plans to construct three gas-fired turbines for power generation.
"As the Texas population and economy grows, it's important to ensure electricity grid capacity is ready," said Regional Administrator Ron Curry. "The Tenaska Roan's Prairie facility shows Texas can meet demand while cutting greenhouse gas emissions."
Once completed, the facility will provide up to 694 nominal gross megawatts of power to supplement the Texas power grid during peak demand. The facility will consist of three simple-cycle, gas-fired turbines, as well as a diesel-fired emergency generator and a diesel-fired fire pump engine. The projected is expected to bring $607 million in economic development, 150 construction jobs and ten fulltime positions.
In June 2010, EPA finalized national GHG regulations, which specify that beginning on January 2, 2011, projects that increase GHG emissions substantially will require an air permit.
EPA believes states are best equipped to run GHG air permitting programs. Texas is working to replace the federal implementation plan with its own State program, which will eliminate the need for businesses to seek air permits from EPA. This action will increase efficiency and allow industry to continue to grow in Texas.
EPA has finalized 46 GHG permits in Texas, proposed an additional five permits and currently has 14 additional GHG permit applications under review and permit development in Texas.
