Frequently asked questions

Tenaska selects project sites based on the availability of access to transmission, natural gas and water, along with market demand for new generation and a welcoming community. With the growing market demand for low-cost, reliable power across the state and the existing energy infrastructure, we believe there is great opportunity to bring this investment here to Vermillion County. We look forward to working with the community to bring this project and its economic benefits to fruition.

Our natural gas facility would only encompass up to 50 acres while; the rest of the site would act as a buffer for neighbors. Outdoor lighting at the facility would be warm in color and pointed downward and inward, away from any neighbors. Neutral paint colors and landscaping would also enhance the aesthetic appearance of the facility.

In addition, the combustion turbine generators and other major equipment will be enclosed and include state-of-the-art equipment to reduce the sound of the facility’s operation.

There are a number of factors that influence property values and the housing market. It has been our experience with other Tenaska projects of similar size and design that property values have not been negatively affected by the facility’s operations. In fact, the jobs and increased tax revenue for the community typically have a positive impact on local schools and other amenities that factor into property values.

The combustion turbine generators and other major equipment will be enclosed and include equipment to reduce the sound of the facility’s operation. The emission control system also has a natural sound-dampening effect.

As part of the ongoing work on the River’s Edge project, we have done preliminary modelling of sound levels from the proposed facility. The projected sound level at the nearest residence is estimated to be approximately 45 dBA; which is comparable to a refrigerator humming or the background sound in a quiet office. This sound level is well below the recommended sound limit determined by the Environmental Protection Agency. 

The plant will use modern, efficient generating technology and required Best Available Control Technology to minimize emissions and off-site impacts. Before construction can even begin, the facility must obtain an air permit from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management which will establish enforceable emission limits, monitoring, testing, recordkeeping and reporting requirements.  

Air dispersion modeling will also be performed to demonstrate the facility will not cause or significantly contribute to a violation of health-based off-site ambient air quality standards set by the US EPA.  Based upon modeling performed on a similar facility to the proposed River’s Edge project, ambient concentrations resulting from air emissions are expected to be less than half of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

Safety is of utmost importance to Tenaska, and we work hard to design a safe and secure facility that protects employees, residents and wildlife. This is demonstrated through the safe operations of the entire Tenaska fleet, which encompasses 6,600 megawatts of generation. More than 70% of Tenaska’s operating fleet currently maintains Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star status, which is granted 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.

The project is still evaluating potential sources of its water. The outwash aquifer that is among alternatives being evaluated is located near and is hydraulically connected to the Wabash River, which provides it with a very high recharge rate.

Water would be delivered to the facility through a dedicated underground pipeline connected to the selected water source. The final route will be selected based on source selection location, engineering studies and permitting requirements. 

The proposed facility is expected to use an average of 10 million gallons a day, peaking to approximately 14 million gallons on a hot day, operating at full output. Actual daily use will vary depending on operating conditions and electricity demand, and the facility will reuse water where practicable to reduce overall consumption. 

The project is still evaluating wastewater discharge alternatives and has not yet selected a wastewater discharge location. Any new discharge point would require approval through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting process.   This is well established process in Indiana that is in place to ensure existing aquatic life, recreation and water supply uses are not impaired, as well as to ensure high-quality and outstanding state resource waters are preserved.

The NPDES review will include a thorough examination of receiving stream protection standards and constituents potentially present in the facility’s discharge water at levels that warrant recurrent testing. Testing methods, frequency and reporting requirements will be established to ensure constituent levels remain within limits also established by the NPDES permit. Permits for new facilities commonly include enhanced monitoring requirements in the first year or two of operations. This examination is repeated as part of the permit renewal process that will occur every 5 years.

Temperature of the discharge water will be determined upon completion of facility engineering and operational design. The NPDES permitting process includes an examination of thermal effects and similarly ensure conditions and monitoring requirements are included in the permit as appropriate to ensure protection of the receiving water, its aquatic life and its downstream users. 

Cooling-tower-based facilities such as this will have significantly less thermal effect than once-through cooling systems often associated with older electric generating facilities.

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 are intended to protect human health and wildlife.

To bring the project to fruition, major permits include, but are not limited to:

• Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Air Quality Permit 
• Title V Air Operating Permit
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Water Discharge Permit
• Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Approval (IURC)

Tenaska is not a utility and does not have the power of eminent domain for a natural gas power plant. Our philosophy is to work with landowners and communities.

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@riversedgegenerating.com with any questions you have.

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.