Martins Creek

The Martins Creek power plant has two generation units with a total capacity of about 1,664 megawatts.

The plant is located on a 750-acre site on the Delaware River in Lower Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County, about 15 miles north of Easton, Pa.

The two oil or natural gas units have a generating capacity of 832 megawatts each and operate in times of peak electricity demand. The units were built in 1974 and 1976, respectively, to burn crude or No. 6 fuel oil. In 1996, PPL modified the units so they could burn natural gas as well. The plant employs about 110 people full time.

Near the plant, PPL preserves 215 acres for public recreation including hiking trails upriver from the plant. Martins Creek also has a boat launch area open to the public.

Martins Creek’s coal-fired Units 1 and 2, which had a generating capacity of 150 megawatts each, were shut down Sept. 14, 2007, under a voluntary agreement with state environmental agencies. They began commercial operation in 1954 and 1956, respectively.

Adjacent to Martins Creek is PPL’s Lower Mount Bethel plant, which shares Martins Creek’s water supply and wastewater disposal facilities, minimizing the effect on the environment.

Martins Creek has been certified since 1999 as a “Star” worksite under the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Program. The program recognizes companies that go beyond compliance to protect worker health and safety. The VPP Star certification is the highest safety recognition given within the program. 

Martins Creek’s coal-fired Units 1 and 2, which had a generating capacity of 150 megawatts each, were shut down Sept. 14, 2007, under a voluntary agreement with state environmental agencies. They began commercial operation in 1954 and 1956, respectively.