Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. will convert a portion of its Martins Creek power plant in Upper Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County, to burn natural gas in addition to oil.
The project moved forward following a Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ruling in April allowing Interstate Energy Co., a PP&L subsidiary, to transport natural gas as well as oil in its underground pipeline. The Interstate Energy pipeline delivers oil to Martins Creek.
"The work necessary to convert Martins Creek's two oil-fired units into dual oil and gas-burning facilities is proceeding," said Robert Shovlin, PP&L's vice president of Power Production and Engineering. "Using gas to produce electricity will provide an economic benefit to PP&L and its customers, as well as an environmental benefit by reducing air emissions."
PP&L estimates that one unit will be able to burn gas by June 1996 and the other by January 1997.
The 84-mile underground pipeline, built in 1976, connects a pump station in Marcus Hook, south of Philadelphia, to a tank farm adjacent to the Martins Creek power plant.
The PUC ruling allows for natural gas to be transported on a section of the line from the Quakertown area to Martins Creek. The pipeline is being modified so that it can deliver either gas or oil.
Interstate Energy plans to connect with three interstate natural gas pipelines that cross the Interstate Energy pipeline in three separate areas. Facilities to meter and regulate the gas flow will be built above the ground in these areas.
Connecting to the interstate gas pipelines requires approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The pipeline companies will file for those approvals, Shovlin said. "In fact, one company, Columbia Gas Transmission Co., already has filed for approval," he said.
"Adding natural gas to the fuel mix at Martins Creek will make the plant more cost-effective and competitive," Shovlin said. "Having the ability to burn oil or gas will allow us flexibility in selecting the most economical fuel. This project is an example of how PP&L is working to better prepare itself for a more competitive electric utility industry."
In addition to the oil units, the Martins Creek power plant also has two coal-fired units. The coal-fired units are not affected by the gas conversion.