GE Award Salutes Plant for Environmentally Responsible Water Use
Tenaska Gateway Generating Station Recognized for Efficiency in Water Purification Process
MT. ENTERPRISE, Texas — The Tenaska Gateway Generating Station has been honored with a GE Return on Environment Award for incorporating advanced water treatment technology that reduces water use and helps ensure a high level of water quality is maintained at the plant and in treated wastewater returned to the environment.
The 845-megawatt power plant is located near Mt. Enterprise in Rusk County, Texas, and is owned by Tenaska Gateway Partners, Ltd.
The GE Return on Environment Award recognizes the achievements of industrial facilities using GE technology that significantly surpass environmental and industrial operational goals while balancing industrial demands. Tenaska was recognized for its noteworthy reductions in rinse water and water treatment agents – efficiencies that also reduced operating costs over the past three years.
“We have had a long-standing commitment to reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible operation of our Tenaska Gateway Generating Station,” said Plant Manager Steve Pearson. “We are pleased that this commitment led to our being honored with a GE Return on Environment Award.”
In 2010, Tenaska Gateway upgraded its primary water purifier with GE equipment utilizing reverse osmosis membrane technology. As a result of GE’s water treatment technologies, the plant now uses fewer water treatment agents, which helps prevent water quality degradation and the need for additional treatment, which in turn saves money.
Fueled by clean-burning natural gas, the Tenaska Gateway Generating Station produces 845 megawatts of electricity for sale to Shell Energy North America (U.S.), L.P., which in turn markets the power.
The plant is one of the largest taxpayers in Rusk County, contributing more than $24.8 million in property taxes since it began commercial operation in 2001. Each year, the plant injects more than $6.7 million in salaries and payments to local contractors and vendors into the area economy, in addition to providing approximately 1,870 hours of volunteer service performed by employees and other annual contributions.
About Tenaska
Tenaska, an energy company headquartered in Omaha, Neb., formed Tenaska Gateway Partners, Ltd. to build, own and operate the Tenaska Gateway Generating Station. Affiliates of Tenaska serve as the managing partner and operator.
Media Contacts:
Timberly Ross
Office: (402) 691-9517
Mobile: (402) 669-4073
or tross@tenaska.com