Utah Municipal Power Agency’s new state-of-the-art power plant in Provo, Utah, recently came online as the cleanest burning natural gas-fired power plant in the state.

The UMPA plant’s post-combustion emissions after-treatment technology reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 93%, carbon monoxide emissions by 90% and formaldehyde emissions by 90%, according to UMPA. In addition, the ecoCube System converts nitrogen oxide into nitrogen and water vapor, reducing smog.

Five Cat G3520H natural-gas generators provide more than 12MW of peak power to UMPA’s member municipalities, which include the communities of Provo, Spanish Fork, Salem, Nephi, Levan and Manti.

The natural gas to power the Cat generators is supplied locally by Summit Energy. The plant replaces the old Provo Power Plant, which was demolished in 2016 after serving the community for more than 75 years.

Due to its efficiency and emission-control technology, the project has garnered praise from state and local stakeholders.

“I appreciate UMPA’s investment in the cleanest technology available to provide peaking power for Wasatch Front customers. This action represents what is necessary to accommodate growth while addressing our current air-quality challenges,” said Bryce Bird, air quality director with the Utah Dept. of Environmental Quality.

“The use of state-of-the-art emissions controls in transportation, industry, commercial and residential applications will allow our communities to thrive while continuing to reduce overall air-pollution emissions,” Bird said.

“UMPA made a commitment to use the cleanest emission-control technology and install the most efficient generating equipment,” said Kevin Garlick, power resource manager at UMPA.

Wheeler Power Systems, a division of Wheeler Machinery Co., led the turn-key construction project. “We are passionate about providing products that supply clean, reliable power,” said Jonathan Campbell, vice president of sales and rentals for Wheeler Machinery Co. “As a local Utah business and member of the community that will benefit from this project, it is important to us to help protect a high quality of life while allowing for growth and expansion in our state,” he said.

“We also applied the current neighborhood design standard and camouflaged the new power plant between the new Provo Recreation Center and the new Provo Power facilities,” Garlick said. “We appreciate Provo City’s support in hosting and siting the project and Wheeler Machinery’s management of the construction of the project.”