Frequently asked questions

Tenaska has been a good business neighbor in Heard County for nearly 30 years. We have built positive relationships here and feel like a welcomed and valued member of the community. With the growing market demand for reliable power in this region and the existing infrastructure in Heard County, we assessed the opportunity to bring additional investment here. Our initial plans have been welcomed by local leaders, and we look forward to working with the community to bring this project and its economic benefits to fruition.

Similar to Tenaska Georgia Generating Station, the proposed facility would be a simple-cycle peaking plant. By design, peaking plants are intended to ramp up to full load very quickly — less than 30 minutes — during periods of peak electricity demand (such as very hot or cold days), when other plants experience service disruptions (such as during severe weather events) or as a backup during variations in renewable power generation (solar and wind).

Forecasts show that power demand in Georgia will continue to grow. With the development and construction of a new power plant spanning three to five years or more, there is a need to plan now for additional power generation.

The site is attractive because of its access to existing natural gas pipelines and power transmission corridors. This minimizes the need for new infrastructure.

The power plant will encompass up to 50 acres of the 270-acre site; the rest will remain wooded as a buffer. Combined with the trees and the natural topography of the area, there will be little impact on the view or natural sound of the area. Outdoor lighting at the facility will be pointed downward and inward and will be warm in color. Neutral paint colors and landscaping will enhance the aesthetic look of the facility.

In addition, the combustion turbine generators will be partially enclosed and include equipment to reduce the sound of plant operation. Sound levels at a plant’s property line are typically similar to the sound level of a conversation between two people and will quickly blend into ambient noise.

The combustion turbine generators will be partially enclosed and include equipment to reduce the sound of plant operation. The emission control system also has a natural sound-dampening effect. Sound levels at the plant’s property line are typically similar to the sound level of a conversation between two people and will quickly blend into ambient noise.

To ensure the reliability of the electric grid amid the generation options available today, fossil fuels will need to be utilized. This facility will operate primarily on natural gas with ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) as a backup in rare times when natural gas is not available. Natural gas is the cleanest fuel for dispatchable peaking power generation.

The emissions most commonly associated with natural gas-fueled plants are nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. However, through the combination of natural gas as the primary fuel, the state-of the-art design and the use of the best available control technology, emissions will be limited. The best available control technology (BACT) will include an oxidation catalyst and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) for emissions control.

Further, the project will need to apply for and obtain a Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. The thorough permitting process requires an analysis of air quality impacts to ensure that all applicable state and federal standards are met. Public comment will be taken as part of the permitting process.

Safety is of utmost importance to Tenaska, and we work hard to design a safe plant that is protective of the employees, residents and wildlife. This has been demonstrated through the safe operation of the Tenaska Georgia Generating Station, which has earned 65 awards from the National Safety Council, as well as the safe operations of the entire Tenaska fleet, which encompasses 7,700 megawatts of generation. More than 70% of Tenaska’s operating fleet currently maintains Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status, which is conferred by the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and is considered the nation’s highest safety designation. 

Additionally, the air and water discharge permits that the facility is required to obtain and comply with are intended to protect human health and the environment.

Tenaska has chosen to develop a simple-cycle generation facility, which requires less water. The amount of water needed will vary based on plant operations, but we anticipate needing up to 300-400 gallons per minute (gpm) on an intermittent basis (roughly 10% of the time). Our team is having ongoing discussions with the Heard County Water Authority about supplying water to this project.

The plant will need to obtain a water discharge (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, or NPDES) permit from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to discharge effluent. The permit will establish effluent limits and monitoring requirements. Tenaska will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the permit. The maximum daily discharge would be less than 400,000 gallons when operating (roughly 10% of the time).

Effluent must meet NPDES permit requirements and will be monitored regularly to confirm compliance with those limits. The major source of water discharge is from the evaporative cooler. This water (potable/drinking water quality) cools incoming fresh air via evaporation. When discharged, it has the same minerals that were present when brought into the facility; however, the water has mostly evaporated, leaving the minerals behind.

Impacts on wildlife are expected to be minimal. We will conduct various on-site environmental studies prior to the start of construction to understand and mitigate potential impacts on wildlife. The project will comply with all applicable state and federal permit requirements associated with wildlife, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Additionally, the project’s air and water discharge permits will protect human health and wildlife.

Tenaska is not a utility and does not have the power of eminent domain. Our philosophy is to work with landowners who want to use their land for energy projects.

Tenaska understands the importance of two-way communication about the project and the need to be responsive to questions. We will continue to talk with local leaders and community members about our plans. At any time, you can fill out our contact form or email community@tenaskaenongrove.com with questions.

Additionally, there will be defined public comment processes as part of the various approvals needed for this project to move forward. Information will be publicized when those opportunities arise.