Rockport Generating Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rockport Generating Station |
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Rockport Generating Station as seen from near the Natcher Bridge
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Ohio Township, Spencer County, Indiana |
| Coordinates | 37°55′32″N 87°02′02″W / 37.92556°N 87.03389°W |
| Status | Operational |
| Commission date | Unit 1: December 1984 Unit 2: December 1988 |
| Decommission date | Unit 1: 2028 (planned) |
| Owner(s) | Indiana-Michigan Power |
The Rockport Generating Station is a large power plant that uses coal to make electricity. It is located in Ohio Township, Spencer County, Indiana, in the United States. The plant sits right next to the Ohio River, near the town of Rockport. It is operated by Indiana Michigan Power, which is part of a bigger company called American Electric Power.
How the Plant Started
Two huge power-making units started working at the Rockport plant. One unit began in December 1984, and the second one in December 1988. Each unit can make 1,300 megawatts of power. These are some of the biggest coal-fired units ever built.
The electricity made at the plant travels through very powerful lines. These lines carry the highest voltage used in the United States. The Rockport plant also has the tallest smokestack in Indiana. It is one of the tallest smokestacks in the world, standing about 316 meters (1,038 feet) high.
Where the Coal Comes From
Coal arrives at the Rockport plant on big boats called barges. These barges travel along the Ohio River. The plant burns over seven million tons of coal every year.
To save money, the company decided in 2018 to get all its coal from Wyoming. This coal comes from a place called the Powder River Basin.
Future Plans for the Plant
In 2019, the company announced that one of the power-making units, Unit 1, will stop working by the end of 2028. This decision was part of an agreement. The agreement was made between the company, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other groups. This plan helps the company reduce pollution without needing to add expensive new equipment.
