Frank E. Ratts Generating Station

Frank E. Ratts Generating Station
Country United States
Location Washington Township, Pike County, near Petersburg, Indiana
Coordinates 38°31′12″N 87°16′02″W / 38.52000°N 87.26722°W / 38.52000; -87.26722Coordinates: 38°31′12″N 87°16′02″W / 38.52000°N 87.26722°W / 38.52000; -87.26722
Status Inactive
Commission date Both: 1970
Owner(s) Hoosier Energy
Thermal power station
Primary fuel Bituminous coal
Type Steam turbine
Cooling source White River
Power generation
Nameplate capacity 250 MWe
Indiana's First REMC-Owned Plant

Frank E. Ratts Generating Station is Indiana’s first electric cooperative power plant, located on the White River near Petersburg in Pike County, Indiana. It is just 1 mile (1.6 km) downstream from a much larger coal-fired power plant Petersburg Generating Station. Ratts Generating Station is rated to produce 250 MW of electricity with twin turbine generators that began commercial operation in 1970.[1] It is owned by Hoosier Energy.

Rising eight stories above the ground, the Ratts Station stands on a foundation that is an acre of concrete 4 feet (1.2 m) thick, extending to a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) beneath the turbine generators and boilers. In addition to two concrete stacks, each 300 feet (91 m) high, the generating station is equipped with environmental controls and monitors; these include updated precipitators for the removal of fly ash to protect the air quality.

Most of the fuel for the facility is mined within a radius of 20 miles (32 km), reducing transportation costs and contributing to the local economy.

A work force of 25 employees is responsible for the power plant’s continuous, efficient operation. Every day, the station’s equipment undergoes hundreds of checks and tests to make sure it’s operating efficiently. Regularly scheduled maintenance helps keep the operation of the power production facility running smoothly.

In addition to being a local employer, Ratts Generating station is also a major property taxpayer in Pike County.

By producing electricity with this generating station rather than continuing to purchase that power from outside sources, Hoosier Energy’s members have saved their consumers more than the original construction cost of the facility during its commercial operation.

On December 29, 2014 Unit 2 of Frank E. Ratts facilities was shut down per consent decree.

In July 2010 an agreement was reached between the EPA and Hoosier Energy to reduce emissions that are regulated under the Clean Air Act. The agreement covers a civil penalty and a commitment to upgrade the air pollution at two power plants in Indiana, Merom Generating Station, and Frank E. Ratts Generating Station.[2]

Per consent decree the Frank E. Ratts station was set to be closed and idled/shut down completely. It was torn down during late 2016 and early 2017 and the site has been graded and seeded.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Existing Electric Generating Units in the United States, 2006" (Excel). Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy. 2006. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  2. ↑ Hoosier Energy Agreement Marks 20th Settlement Under EPA’s Power Plant Enforcement Initiative EPA July 23, 2010.
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