A new natural gas power plant in Mercer County could be a test of Gov. Andy Beshear’s recent executive order limiting data centers.
Beshear’s Aug. 6 order directs the state Energy and Environment Cabinet to deny air quality permits for any data center project that worsens the environment.
Byron Gary, program attorney for the Kentucky Resources Council, told the Division of Air Quality Wednesday that Kentucky Utilities’ proposed E.W. Brown gas plant qualifies.
“Since this facility's justification is tied to data center demand, that standard applies here,” he said in a virtual public hearing.
KU filed a permit application in June for the 681-megawatt combined-cycle gas plant. The application indicates an increase in nearly every air pollutant category. While the power plant isn’t tied to a specific data center proposal, one has been hotly debated near the site.
Louisville Gas and Electric and KU received approval from the Kentucky Public Service Commission in October to proceed with the Brown project and a similar one in Jefferson County.
Liz Pratt, a KU spokeswoman, says the projects will lower the intensity of emissions.
“This modern generating unit will use advanced technology, similar to Mill Creek 5 currently under construction at our Mill Creek Generating Station in Jefferson County,” Pratt said. “It’s among the most efficient generating technology currently available and produces 65% less carbon dioxide per megawatt hour when compared to coal-fired units.”
The emissions that will increase at Brown include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter. All have been shown to cause harm to health and the environment.
Gary asked the Division of Air Quality to allow more time for public input, citing the governor’s executive order.
“Finally, because the governor's order was issued on August 6, the same day the written comment period for this originally closed, we respectfully request the division to reopen and extend that period so that the public can fully evaluate the connection between the governor's executive order and this action.”
The Division of Air Quality is also considering a permit application from East Kentucky Power Cooperative to build a 745-megawatt combined-cycle plant next to its existing Cooper coal plant in Pulaski County.
It, too, will increase emissions, though combined-cycle gas plants are more efficient than coal.
A combined-cycle plant repurposes the heat generated by a gas turbine to produce more steam to power another generator, capturing more of the energy created through gas combustion.
Gary said Beshear’s executive order wouldn’t apply to the Cooper project because it’s not tied to data center development.
Nick Comer, an East Kentucky Power spokesman, said the utility is on track to reduce carbon dioxide emissions 35% by 2035.
“While overall emissions will increase due to tripling generating capacity” at Cooper, Comer said, “emissions on a per-kilowatt basis will remain very low.”
A public hearing on the Cooper project was scheduled for Thursday, but it was canceled.
LG&E and KU is a financial supporter of WEKU.
