Frank E. Ratts Generating Station
Encyclopedia
Frank E. Ratts Generating Station is Indiana’s first electric cooperative power plant, located on the White River
near Petersburg in Pike County, Indiana
. It is just 1 miles (1.6 km) downstream from a much larger coal-fired power plant AES Petersburg
. Ratts Generating Station is rated to produce 250 MW of electricity with twin turbine generators that began commercial operation in 1970. It is owned by Hoosier Energy.
Rising nine stories above the ground, the Ratts Station stands on a foundation that is an acre of concrete 4 feet (1.2 m) thick, extending to a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) beneath the turbine generators and boilers. In addition to two concrete stacks, each 300 feet (91.4 m) high, the generating station is equipped with environmental controls and monitors; these include updated precipitators for the removal of fly ash to protect the air quality.
Most of the fuel for the facility is mined within a radius of 20 miles (32.2 km), reducing transportation costs and contributing to the local economy.
A work force of 40 employees is responsible for the power plant’s continuous, efficient operation. Every day, the station’s equipment undergoes hundreds of checks and tests to make sure it’s operating efficiently. Regularly scheduled maintenance helps keep the operation of the power production facility running smoothly.
In addition to being a local employer, Ratts Generating station is also a major property taxpayer in Pike County.
By producing electricity with this generating station rather than continuing to purchase that power from outside sources, Hoosier Energy’s members have saved their consumers more than the original construction cost of the facility during its commercial operation.
Today, Hoosier Energy Ratts Generating Station continues to be one of the most economical steam electric generating stations in Indiana, and among the least expensive in the nation.
White River (Indiana)
The White River is a two-forked river that flows through central and southern Indiana and is the main tributary to the Wabash River. Via the west fork, considered to be the main stem of the river by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, the White River is long.-West Fork:The West Fork, long, is...
near Petersburg in Pike County, Indiana
Pike County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,837 people, 5,119 households, and 3,680 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile . There were 5,611 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
. It is just 1 miles (1.6 km) downstream from a much larger coal-fired power plant AES Petersburg
AES Petersburg
Petersburg Generating Station is a major coal-fired power plant in Indiana, rated at 1.87-GW nameplate capacity. It is located on the White River near Petersburg in Pike County, Indiana, just upstream from a much smaller coal-fired Frank E. Ratts Generating Station. Petersburg G.S...
. Ratts Generating Station is rated to produce 250 MW of electricity with twin turbine generators that began commercial operation in 1970. It is owned by Hoosier Energy.
Rising nine stories above the ground, the Ratts Station stands on a foundation that is an acre of concrete 4 feet (1.2 m) thick, extending to a depth of 6 feet (1.8 m) beneath the turbine generators and boilers. In addition to two concrete stacks, each 300 feet (91.4 m) high, the generating station is equipped with environmental controls and monitors; these include updated precipitators for the removal of fly ash to protect the air quality.
Most of the fuel for the facility is mined within a radius of 20 miles (32.2 km), reducing transportation costs and contributing to the local economy.
A work force of 40 employees is responsible for the power plant’s continuous, efficient operation. Every day, the station’s equipment undergoes hundreds of checks and tests to make sure it’s operating efficiently. Regularly scheduled maintenance helps keep the operation of the power production facility running smoothly.
In addition to being a local employer, Ratts Generating station is also a major property taxpayer in Pike County.
By producing electricity with this generating station rather than continuing to purchase that power from outside sources, Hoosier Energy’s members have saved their consumers more than the original construction cost of the facility during its commercial operation.
Today, Hoosier Energy Ratts Generating Station continues to be one of the most economical steam electric generating stations in Indiana, and among the least expensive in the nation.