Background
Monticello Steam Electric Station is a three unit lignite-fired power plant. Many Luminant plants are named after nearby bodies of water or nearby geological locations, such as Lake Monticello. Some Luminant plants, such as Monticello, 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 Monticello operations to the area economy is estimated at more than $346 million, as shown by the following table.
| Monticello Steam Electric Station Annual Economic Impact to Area |
|
| Property Taxes Paid | $12,842,783 |
| Payroll | $92,017,615 |
| Total Taxes & Payroll | $104,860,398 |
| Annual Economic Impact* | $346,039,314 |
| * 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 Monticello Steam Electric Station began operation in 1974, unit 2 became operational in 1975, and the last unit, unit 3, became operational in 1978. In 1991, the Monticello mining operation added a Cross-Pit Spreader to move massive amounts of earth and uncover the lignite coal. This huge, efficient machine is as tall as a 24-story building and longer than four football fields. An electric rail system brings 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 the Monticello plant, electrostatic precipitators and a bag house filter system remove particulate matter, and a scrubber removes sulfur dioxide. Special burners are used in the boiler system to hold down the formation of nitrogen oxide.
Monticello's on-site water treatment facility contributes to conservation by purifying wastewater from plant operations, which is then recycled.
Some of the ash byproducts from the lignite operation are recycled into products including concrete, ready-mix cement, road de-icing material, clay bricks and concrete blocks.
The Monticello plant is cooled by 2,000-acre Lake Monticello, which is a popular site for fishing and recreation.
Monticello participates annually in the Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program to encourage the participation of minorities, women, and economically disadvantaged students regarding environmental issues and policies.
Civic
Luminant has a rich history of community leadership through employee volunteerism, employee contributions and company financial support. Employees of the Monticello plant and mine support a variety of organizations, including area chapters of the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Junior Achievement, and Habitat for Humanity, as well as Communities in Schools, the Mount Pleasant/Titus County Chamber of Commerce, Pilot Club and the non-profit Cypress Basin Hospice. 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.
