Myth. There are more than 3,000 existing power plants today within 3 miles or less of housing. Power plants are permitted and built all over the country even as close as 500 feet or less from housing. Current site plans show that MEP will be more than 5,280 feet away from nearest residence.
Where power plants can be built
Myth. EPA allows power plants to be built within 3 miles of residential areas. EPA does not have a minimum distance requirement between a power plant and residential area. EPA's recommended 3-Mile radius is used to define the area around the power plant. EPA's “EJ screen” tool was used for the MEP and no issues were identified for the proposed project within the 3-mile boundary.
Myth. Residential areas often closely neighbor power generating facilities. There are at least 10 existing power plants in Arizona that are ½ mile or less from houses. The average power plant in AZ is 2,493 ft. from housing. MEP will be greater than 5,280 feet away from nearest housing.
Myth. At the time when project sites were being evaluated, there was no available land at or near the County landfill site. The project inquired with the Mohave County Manager's office in February and May 2024 whether land was available for the project. The County confirmed that there was no land available. Additionally, at that time, the project team reached out to the Arizona State Land Department and Bureau of Land Management to inquire about land availability near the landfill. However, other developers had already filed applications for long term leases and special land use permits for projects on thousands of acres in the area and those applications were already under review, which made this land unavailable to AEPCO. In talks with natural gas providers, AEPCO was told it wasn't feasible to supply the gas to these properties.
Myth. MEC received approvals from the Board of Supervisors for this site ("Site A") and could start construction of the natural gas turbines up to August 31, 2025.
Myth. The site options were selected for their location to existing electrical infrastructure, water resources, natural gas infrastructure, while also being private, previously disturbed land available for purchase with the greatest distance from residences.
Fact. Based on input from the Board of Supervisors and the Community, the Mohave Valley site is preferred and still meets the needs of being near existing electrical infrastructure, water and natural gas resources, while providing a larger buffer to nearby residences versus the Fort Mohave site.
Fact. The approvals for the natural gas turbines are still in effect for the site off Antoinette Ave in Fort Mohave.
Fact. AEPCO purchased more property than was needed to support the footprint of the natural gas generating facility. AEPCO went before the Mohave County Board of Supervisors to rezone 193 acres to meet the needs of the proposed project.
Myth. Mohave Energy Park is a 4-unit, simple-cycle natural gas generating facility with supporting infrastructure. The facility provides a long-term plan for energy reliability and affordability by introducing natural gas generating resources near existing solar and battery storage resources in one regional area. The solar and battery storage resources are located in Fort Mohave, Arizona.