Our Commitment to the Environment

Cogentrix has built its business over the past quarter century on the premise that electric power plants can be constructed and operated cleanly, efficiently, and cost effectively. To achieve this goal, Cogentrix has made environment, health and safety (“EHS”) an integral part of the development, construction and operation of all of its power plants.

Cogentrix believes that the environmental performance of its conventional power fleet is among the best in the independent power industry. The coal and waste coal-fired generating plants are either scrubbed or utilize circulating fluidized bed technology which also provides sulfur mitigation. The waste coal-fired plants perform additional environmental service through helping remediate or reclaim waste coal sites in the Northeastern U.S., which may serve to reduce land and water degradation in those areas. The coal-fired fleet consists of mostly cogenerators, providing additional environmental value through reducing the need for operating less efficient industrial boilers. Additionally, the coal fleet has advanced NOx control equipment and operate with very low mercury emissions. The Cogentrix gas-fired fleet is primarily combined-cycle units and the single rapid start peaking project utilizes a highly efficient technology with extremely responsive load following dispatch capabilities. The entire gas fleet is fitted with SCR and NOx controls.

Cogentrix’s operations are subject to numerous federal, state and local requirements relating to the protection of the environment and the safety and health of its personnel and the general public. These requirements relate to a broad range of activities, including the discharge of compounds into the air, water and soil; the proper handling of solid, hazardous and toxic materials; and waste, noise safety and health standards applicable to the workplace. While there are a multitude of environmental regulations that potentially affect the operation of each of the existing plants, Cogentrix is positioned to address these regulatory challenges. The existing state-of-the-art air pollution control equipment throughout Cogentrix’ portfolio, the cogeneration aspects the plants and the integration of EHS into development, construction, and operation have been instrumental in allowing these plants to address the many regulatory challenges facing the industry today and in the future.

To view details of our current portfolio, click here.