Background
Martin Lake Steam Electric Station is a three-unit lignite-fueled generating plant. Many Luminant plants are named after nearby bodies of water or nearby geological locations, such as Martin Lake, which provides the plant's cooling water. Some Luminant plants, such as Martin Lake, are fueled by Texas lignite from nearby mines, supplemented by coal brought by train from the Western United States.
Economic Impact to the Area
Luminant is proud to be a major contributor to the economy in areas where it maintains and operates facilities. Luminant produces an annual economic benefit of more than $1.2 Billion across Texas through power plant payrolls, purchases, contracts, taxes paid and other expenditures. The annual contribution of Martin Lake operations to the area economy is estimated at more than $500 million, as shown by the following table.
| Martin Lake Plant and Mine Annual Economic Impact to Area |
|
| Property Taxes Paid | $17,375,440 |
| Payroll | $134,545,129 |
| Total Taxes & Payroll | $151,920,569 |
| Annual Economic Impact* | $501,337,878 |
| * Economic development professionals use an accepted formula (Taxes + Payroll x 3.3) to determine total attributable dollars spent in the area each year. | |
History
Unit 1 of the Martin Lake Steam Electric Station began operation in 1977, unit 2 became operational in 1978 and the last unit, unit3, became operational in 1979.
Luminant made 200 acres available to the state of Texas for creation of the Martin Creek Lake State Park, which opened in 1976. An electric-powered train is used to transport lignite to the plant from outlying mining areas. The plant also receives rail shipments of coal from Wyoming's Powder River Basin, to supplement and extend the life of the Texas lignite reserves.
Environmental Equipment and Accomplishments
At Luminant, we care about the air we share. Luminant is committed to innovative leadership in managing environmental issues, including minimizing its own impact on the environment without sacrificing the interests of future generations.
As part of the overall program to protect clean air, all Luminant plants have been modified to reduce emissions, through equipment and/or operational changes. Because of these initiatives, Luminant has been a leader in reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in Texas. At Martin Lake, highly efficient electrostatic precipitators remove particulate matter, and scrubbers remove sulfur dioxide. Special burners are used in the boiler system to hold down the formation of nitrogen oxide.
Wetlands created on two mined areas through Luminant's innovative Team Wetlands program will help scientists identify successful approaches to creating permanent wetlands on mined land. Partners in the project include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and university biologists.
Ash by-products from the burning of the lignite are recycled into products such as paving and roofing materials.
The Martin Lake plant is cooled by 5,000-acre Martin Creek Lake, which is a popular site for fishing and recreation. Martin Lake is also home to various wildlife including white-tailed deer, raccoons, armadillos and rabbits. Bald eagle tours conducted in the winter months at Martin Creek Lake State Park are popular with area visitors.
Civic
Luminant has a rich history of community leadership through employee volunteerism, employee contributions and company financial support. Martin Lake and its employees support a variety of organizations in Rusk and Panola Counties including seven volunteer fire departments, youth livestock shows, and area chapters of the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Historical Commission, and United Way. Employees and their families participate annually in "Our Day to Shine," a system-wide Luminant volunteer day benefiting area public projects and residents in need.
