You can ask for the details

What to ask about a permit

A permit sets conditions for a project to operate. The wording can be technical. These three questions help you find the parts that matter.

01 · Pollution limits

What counts toward the limit?

Several tracked permits cap annual nitrogen oxides below 100 tons. Ask which engines and operating hours are included, and whether emergency use is counted separately.

See examples in the records
  1. 99.2
    Fairwater
    Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin · 0.79 tons under the 100-ton line
    cap
  2. 99.0
    Cumulus / Susquehanna
    Salem Township, Pennsylvania · 1.00 tons under the 100-ton line
    cap
  3. 96.8
    Hyperion
    Richland Parish, Louisiana · 3.17 tons under the 100-ton line
    cap
  4. 87.0
    Colossus
    Memphis (Boxtown), Tennessee · 13.0 tons under the 100-ton line
    cap
  5. 37.2
    Doña Ana County
    Santa Teresa, New Mexico · 62.8 tons under the 100-ton line
    cap
  6. 25.0
    Quantum Frederick / Bauxite I
    Adamstown, Maryland · 75.0 tons under the 100-ton line
    cap

02 · Backup power

How often can “backup” equipment run?

Ask for the allowed hours, then ask for the actual hours. A permit allowing 8,760 hours allows operation throughout the year. The label “backup” alone doesn’t tell you how equipment is used.

See examples in the records
  1. 24/7
    Stargate Abilene
    Abilene, Texas · 10 turbines permitted 8,760 h/yr
    8,760 h
  2. 24/7
    Colossus
    Memphis (Boxtown), Tennessee · 15 permitted, 35 observed
    over permit
  3. 24/7
    Colossus 2 / Southaven
    Southaven, Mississippi · 41 permitted, 57 observed
    over permit

03 · Water use

Do the claims match the meter?

Ask for measured water use as well as the company’s estimate. Check that the figures cover the same time period, and whether they include filling a cooling system or generating electricity.

See examples in the records
  1. 613×
    Doña Ana County
    Claimed 0.17 M gal · observed 103 M gal
    103 M
  2. 80×
    Stargate Abilene
    Claimed 0.10 M gal · observed 8.00 M gal
    8.00 M
  3. 15×
    Hyperion
    Claimed 548 M gal · observed 8,395 M gal
    8,395 M

These examples are starting points for questions. Check the latest permit and project records for the full context.

Bring these questions to a meeting →Find a nearby site

Gigawatt Ledger · September 2026 · How the estimates work.