North Valmy Station
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North Valmy Station is an operating power station of at least 567-megawatts (MW) in Valmy, Humboldt, Nevada, United States with multiple units, some of which are not currently operating.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Plant name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| North Valmy Station | Valmy, Humboldt, Nevada, United States | 40.881317, -117.1516 (exact)[1] |
Unit-level coordinates (WGS 84):
- GT1, GT2, Unit 1, Unit 2: 40.881317, -117.1516
Project Details
Table 2: Unit-level details
| Unit name | Status | Fuel(s) | Capacity (MW) | Technology | Start year | Retired year | Equipment | Emergency/Backup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GT1 | Pre-construction[2][3] | fossil gas: natural gas, other: hydrogen (unknown)[3] | 205.5[3] | gas turbine[3] | 2028 (planned)[3][4] | – | not found | no |
| GT2 | Pre-construction[2][3] | fossil gas: natural gas, other: hydrogen (unknown)[3] | 205.5[3] | gas turbine[3] | 2028 (planned)[3][4] | – | not found | no |
| Unit 1, timepoint 1 | Retired[5] | coal: bituminous[6] | 277.2 | subcritical | 1981 | 2025[5] | – | no |
| Unit 1, timepoint 2 | Operating[7][8][9][5][2] | fossil gas: natural gas[7] | 277.2[10] | steam turbine[10] | 2026[7][11][12][13][14][5] | 2049 (planned)[15] | – | no |
| Unit 2, timepoint 1 | Retired[5] | coal: bituminous[6] | 289.8 | subcritical | 1985 | 2026[5] | – | no |
| Unit 2, timepoint 2 | Operating[7][16][8][9][5][2] | fossil gas: natural gas[7][5] | 289.8[10] | steam turbine[10] | 2026 (planned)[7][11][13][14][5] | 2049 (planned)[15] | – | no |
CHP is an abbreviation for Combined Heat and Power. It is a technology that produces electricity and thermal energy at high efficiencies. Coal units track this information in the Captive Use section when known.
Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details
| Unit name | Operator | Owner | Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| GT1 | Sierra Pacific Power[11] | Sierra Pacific Power Co [100%][17] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc [100.0%] |
| GT2 | Sierra Pacific Power[11] | Sierra Pacific Power Co [100%][17] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc [100.0%] |
| Unit 1, timepoint 1 | Sierra Pacific Power[11] | Sierra Pacific Power Co [100%] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc [100.0%] |
| Unit 1, timepoint 2 | Sierra Pacific Power[11] | Sierra Pacific Power Co [100%] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc [100.0%] |
| Unit 2, timepoint 1 | Sierra Pacific Power[11] | Sierra Pacific Power Co [100%] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc [100.0%] |
| Unit 2, timepoint 2 | Sierra Pacific Power[11] | Sierra Pacific Power Co [100%] | Berkshire Hathaway Inc [100.0%] |
Unit-level fuel conversion details:
Unit 1: Converted from coal to fossil gas in 2026.
Unit 2: Converted from coal to fossil gas in 2026.
Project-level coal details
- Coal source(s): domestic
Impacts
Potential emissions and details on the project's status and permit applications can be viewed on Oil and Gas Watch page here.
The Oil and Gas Watch database, created by Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), is a free, public-facing tool designed to track the rapid expansion of fossil fuel and petrochemical infrastructure in the United States. Oil and Gas Watch maps new and expanding oil, gas, and petrochemical infrastructure projects across the country and monitors each project’s construction status so the public can stay informed about major oil and gas developments being proposed in their communities. We track key environmental approvals companies must obtain before starting construction or operations and provide access to thousands of government records and permits unearthed by our analysts.
Financing
- Owner: Idaho Power 50%[18], NV Energy 50%[19]
Peak Energy Demand Production
As of 2017 the coal plant operates primarily to meet peak energy demand in the summer but remains idle through much of the year.[20][21]
Unit Retirements, Conversion to Gas and New Gas Units
In 2018 it was reported that Unit 1 is planned for retirement in 2021, and unit 2 in 2025.[22][23][24]
As of 2020, the EIA 860m database had both units scheduled for retirement in 2025.[25]
In July 2023, it was reported that NV Energy asked regulators to approve US$83 million for converting the coal-fired power plant to run on gas by the end of 2025.[26][27]
In December 2024, the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUNC) authorized conversion of North Valmy Units 1 and 2 from coal to gas (to be completed by mid‑2026) as part of NV Energy 2024 Integrated Resource Plan. According to the document, it is anticipated that one Valmy unit will be taken offline in October 2025 for conversion to gas and coal burning will cease at Valmy in December of 2025 when the second unit will be taken offline for conversion to gas. In addition, the PUNC approved construction of two new gas-fired units (GT1 and GT2) at the plant totaling approximately 411 MW. Commercial operation is expected by June 30, 2028. The estimated cost of the project is approximately USD 573.3 million.[28][29][30][31]
According to a February 2026 filing by NV Energy, North Valmy Unit 1 stopped burning coal in September 2025, and Unit 2 stopped burning coal in January 2026.[32]
Ownership
North Valmy Station was initially co-owned by Idaho Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power (a subsidiary of NV Energy). At the end of 2019, Idaho Power ended its participation in Unit 1. Idaho Power had also committed to exiting coal operations at Unit 2 by the end of 2025.[33][34]
Emissions Data
- 2024 Gross Load (MWh): 1,430,767[35]
- 2024 SO2 Mass (short tons): 3,369[35]
- 2024 CO2 Mass (short tons): 1,634,590[35]
- 2024 NOx Mass (short tons): 2,179[35]
- 2023 Mercury emissions (Hg, lb): 4.35[36][37]
Death and disease attributable to fine particle pollution from North Valmy Station
In 2010, Abt Associates issued a study commissioned by the Clean Air Task Force, a nonprofit research and advocacy organization, quantifying the deaths and other health effects attributable to fine particle pollution from coal-fired power plants.[38] Fine particle pollution consists of a complex mixture of soot, heavy metals, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. Among these particles, the most dangerous are those less than 2.5 microns in diameter, which are so tiny that they can evade the lung's natural defenses, enter the bloodstream, and be transported to vital organs. Impacts are especially severe among the elderly, children, and those with respiratory disease. The study found that over 13,000 deaths and tens of thousands of cases of chronic bronchitis, acute bronchitis, asthma, congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, dysrhythmia, ischemic heart disease, chronic lung disease, and pneumonia each year are attributable to fine particle pollution from U.S. coal plant emissions. These deaths and illnesses are major examples of coal's external costs, i.e. uncompensated harms inflicted upon the public at large. Low-income and minority populations are disproportionately impacted as well, due to the tendency of companies to avoid locating power plants upwind of affluent communities. To monetize the health impact of fine particle pollution from each coal plant, Abt assigned a value of $7,300,000 to each 2010 mortality, based on a range of government and private studies. Valuations of illnesses ranged from $52 for an asthma episode to $440,000 for a case of chronic bronchitis.[39]
Table 1: Death and disease attributable to fine particle pollution from North Valmy Station
| Type of Impact | Annual Incidence | Valuation |
|---|---|---|
| Deaths | 10 | $74,000,000 |
| Heart attacks | 15 | $1,700,000 |
| Asthma attacks | 180 | $10,000 |
| Hospital admissions | 7 | $170,000 |
| Chronic bronchitis | 7 | $2,900,000 |
| Asthma ER visits | 9 | $3,000 |
Source: "Find Your Risk from Power Plant Pollution," Clean Air Task Force interactive table, accessed February 2011
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230509053328/https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860m/. Archived from the original on 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2026-04-16.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/ordered-to-close-its-last-coal-plant-nv-energy-will-now-burn-a-different-fossil-fuel.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 (PDF) https://www.nvenergy.com/publish/content/dam/nvenergy/brochures_arch/about-nvenergy/rates-regulatory/recent-regulatory-filings/irp/IRP-Volume-2.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 4.0 4.1 "New & Proposed Generation Plants in Nevada". State of Nevada Public Utilities Commission. Archived from the original on 2024-02-01.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 "Action Plan Progress Report Pursuant to NAC § 704.9498 for the Action Plan Period 2025-2027". NV Energy. 2026-02-27. Archived from the original on 2026-03-31. Retrieved 2026-03-31.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://www.gem.wiki/Coal_source_methodology_for_the_Global_Coal_Plant_Tracker.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 (PDF) https://www.nvenergy.com/publish/content/dam/nvenergy/brochures_arch/about-nvenergy/rates-regulatory/recent-regulatory-filings/irp/IRP-Volume-8.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 8.0 8.1 (PDF) https://ndep.nv.gov/uploads/documents/ap4911-0457.03-directors-review_.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 9.0 9.1 https://www.power-eng.com/news/regulators-approve-nv-energy-coal-to-gas-repower-project/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860m/xls/september_generator2024.xlsx.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 "Annual Electric Power Industry Report, Form EIA-860 detailed data with previous form data (EIA-860A/860B) - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)". www.eia.gov. 2025-09-09. Archived from the original on 2022-10-28. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
- ↑ https://capitalpress.com/2026/02/24/idaho-power-eyes-completion-of-north-valmy-coal-to-gas-conversion/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 13.0 13.1 https://grokipedia.com/page/north_valmy_generating_station.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 14.0 14.1 https://gem-project-db.herokuapp.com/projects/edit/100000104045.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 15.0 15.1 https://thecoaltrader.com/nevada-approves-gas-fired-power-plants-despite-solar-project-delays/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ https://www.idahopower.com/energy-environment/energy/energy-sources/natural-gas/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 17.0 17.1 (PDF) https://www.nvenergy.com/publish/content/dam/nvenergy/brochures_arch/about-nvenergy/rates-regulatory/recent-regulatory-filings/irp/IRP-Volume-5.pdf.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ "Thermal" idohapower.com, accessed June 17, 2020
- ↑ "Pacificorp 10-k 2019" bkenergy.com accessed June 17,2020
- ↑ "Idaho Power intends to pursue closure of Valmy Unit 1 in 2019 and Unit 2 in 2025," Sierra Club, May 4, 2017
- ↑ "Navajo Generating Station and Air Visibility Regulations: Alternatives and Impacts" (PDF). HDR Engineering, Inc. March 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- ↑ "Clean Energy Advocates Celebrate Approval of NV Energy’s Plans to Retire North Valmy Coal Unit Early," Sierra Club, Dec 21, 2018
- ↑ "2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) Reference Sheet," Idaho Power, Sep 15, 2018
- ↑ Solis, Jeniffer (22 December 2018). "NV Energy to close coal plant, adds solar". Nevada Current. Archived from the original on 30 July 2019.
- ↑ "Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory" eia.gov, 860m March 2020
- ↑ "NV Energy plan, process draws criticism," Nevada Current, July 28, 2023
- ↑ "NV Energy to convert final coal-fired plant to natural gas," Power Engineering, July 27, 2023
- ↑ "Integrated Resource Plans". NV Energy. May 31, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "2024 IRP: VOLUME 2 OF 29" (PDF). NV Energy. May 31, 2025. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Ordered to close its last coal plant, NV Energy will now burn a different fossil fuel". The Nevada Independent. February 9, 2025. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Nevada Public Utilities Commission authorizes two new gas generators in NV Energy Integrated Resource Plan decision". SWEEP. December 20, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ “Action Plan Progress Report Pursuant to NAC § 704.9498 for the Action Plan Period 2025-2027,” NV Energy, February 27, 2026
- ↑ “Re: Docket No. UE___ –– In the Matter of Idaho Power Company’s Application for Authority to Decrease Rates Reflecting Three Offsetting Adjustments,” Idaho Power Company, October 9, 2025
- ↑ “After closing coal plants, Idaho Power is the rare utility cutting rates,” Latitude Media, October 20, 2025
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 EIA (2024). "Clean Air Markets Program Data (CAMD)". Retrieved 2025-02-20.
- ↑ Clean Air and Power Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (February 2024). "Annual data 2022 vs. 2023". Retrieved 2025-03-04.
- ↑ Toxics Release Inventory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (October 2024). "2023 Basic Plus Data". Retrieved 2025-03-04.
- ↑ "The Toll from Coal: An Updated Assessment of Death and Disease from America's Dirtiest Energy Source," Clean Air Task Force, September 2010.
- ↑ "Technical Support Document for the Powerplant Impact Estimator Software Tool," Prepared for the Clean Air Task Force by Abt Associates, July 2010
Additional data
To access additional data, including interactive maps of the power stations, downloadable datasets, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Plant Tracker and the Global Oil and Gas Plant Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
