questions_gas.html

Questions for Developers of Proposed Gas-fired Power Plants

Primary Information

1. Who is the primary developer? Have any partners been identified?
2. What is the anticipated cost of constructing and operating the facility?
3. What is the proximity of the proposed facility to industrial areas? Residential areas? Schools? Sensitive or protected areas? Waterways or aquifers? Visual or cultural resources?
4. Why is this site preferred?
5. When does the developer plan to file an application with the state and/or local siting authority?
6. What is the developer¹s timeline to secure financing, build the facility and commence operations?

Operations

1. What is the configuration of the proposed facility (combined cycle or simple cycle)?
2. Is the developer proposing a back-up generation system (diesel, liquefied natural gas, other)?
3. How often and under what circumstances will the backup generation run?
4. What is the facility capacity and anticipated production rate?
5. Does the developer have access to transmission for the proposed facility?
6. Where? Is a line extension needed?
7. Who will provide natural gas for the facility?
8. Where does the developer plan to hook into a major natural gas pipeline? Is new pipeline construction required?
9. How much of the proposed facility¹s output will be sold through long-term contracts vs. the spot market?

Air Emissions

1. What are the expected annual emissions of nitrogen oxide (No_x ), pariculate matter (PM10), volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, ammonia and toxic air pollutants?
2. What are the expected annual emissions of greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO₂ ), methane (CH₄ ), ozone (O₃ )?
3. What is the efficiency level of the proposed facility?
4. What are the characteristics of the airshed where the power facility is proposed?
5. What is the proposed mitigation, offset or control technology for each type of emission?

Water Resources/Supply

1. Does the developer plan to use a wet-cooled (water) or dry-cooled (air) system?
2. What is the estimated water consumption and source of water?
3. Are there any concerns with local groundwater quality?
4. What are the potential impacts to the aquifer?
5. How does the developer propose to mitigate impacts to water quality and quantity?

Other

1. Does the developer have mitigation plans to address fish and wildlife impacts, land impacts including wetlands destruction, or other environmental impacts?
2. Does the developer have turbines ready to go? If not, is the developer in the process of acquiring them?
3. Does the proposed facility have any cogeneration opportunities?