Background
Sandow Steam Electric Station Unit 4 is a lignite-fueled generating unit owned and operated by Luminant. Three other units at the site are owned by Alcoa and are used to provide electricity to its nearby aluminum plant The Sandow plant is named for a small mining community in Central Texas.
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 Sandow Unit 4 operations to the area economy is estimated at more than $44 million, as shown by the following table.
| Sandow Unit 4 Annual Economic Impact to Area |
|
| Property Taxes Paid | $2,970,793 |
| Payroll | $10,465,193 |
| Total Taxes & Payroll | $13,435,986 |
| Annual Economic Impact* | $44,338,754 |
| * 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 4 of the Sandow Steam Electric Station began operation in 1981.
Lignite mining in the Sandow area has occurred in varying degrees since the early 1900s. Modern operations began in 1952, when Alcoa entered an agreement with Texas Power & Light Company (a Luminant predecessor) and McAlester Fuel Company that allowed construction of an aluminum smelting plant to be powered by three lignite-fueled generating units.
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 Sandow Unit 4, a highly efficient electrostatic precipitator is used to remove particulate matter, and a limestone scrubber removes sulfur dioxide.
Ash by-products from the lignite and scrubber operation are recycled into products such as cinder blocks, cement additive, and gypsum for wallboard.
Civic
Luminant has a rich history of community leadership through employee volunteerism, employee contributions and company financial support. Among the organizations supported by Sandow Unit 4 and its employees are the United Way and the South Milam Medical and Dental Fund, which provides treatment for needy children. Employees and their families also participate in a wide range of volunteer activities, such as, volunteer fire departments, charitable fund raisers, and civic clubs, scouting, and fair/rodeo committees, benefiting the many communities represented.
