The Gazette-Enterprise

Though Rio Nogales’ more than 100-foot-tall heat recovery steam generators create a constant presence in the city skyline, the power plant does not, in fact, provide electricity to the residents of Seguin.

Rio Nogales officials said the idea of local power supply is one of the most popular myths about the plant.

“Electricity from Rio Nogales is sold by its owner, Constellation Energy, to various customers throughout the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region,” said Allen Schindler, Rio Nogales Operation and Maintenance manager. “The electricity from Rio Nogales enters the “grid” through an interconnect with Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) at their Clear Springs Substation.”

By converting natural gas to electricity, the plant is capable of producing 800 megawatts of electricity — or enough to meet the energy needs of 250,000 homes.

“That’s way more power than Seguin could ever use,” said O&M technician Lorin Bruns.

Instead, the energy is sold to larger customers — utilities, city-owned electric systems and electric co-operatives across the state.

Though the energy produced at Rio Nogales doesn’t light the lamps of Seguin homes, the company’s desire to connect with its residents empowers the Seguin community.

Near the time the 56-acre plant first came online in June 2002, the company worked with the city of Seguin to create a 12-acre extension to the Manuel C. Castilla Park in the “buffer zone” between the plant and the surrounding neighborhoods.

“We’re a part of the community, our employees are a part of the community and we’re a large component of the tax base for the city, as well,” said General Manager Randy Scott about the importance of community involvement.

Rio Nogales has continued its legacy of sponsorship by lending financial support to the Seguin Outdoor Learning Center, booster clubs and the Science Academy at Seguin ISD and the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We try to spread ourselves across a wide variety of organizations,” Scott said. “We try not to take on just one or two as a priority.”

Rio Nogales also prides itself in explaining the power process to the next generation of electricity users, giving plant tours to school children two or three times a year.

Kids can’t get enough of the larger-than-life turbines, generators and bright purple piping snaking its way through the plant.

Along with education comes an emphasis on safety. The plant maintains an active relationship with local emergency workers and the Seguin Fire Department.

Last October, the plant participated in a drill scenario in which a plant operator fell from a 50-foot catwalk while performing maintenance on an overhead light. The 170-pound dummy standing in for the part was suspended 40 feet in the air by a fall harness system.

Plant workers treated the dummy like an injured man, making conversation to keep him conscious and moving his legs back and forth so the safety belt did not restrict circulation in his legs. Firefighters brought the dummy down in a rescue basket and then placed him on a gurney.

Plant employees said drills help them become familiar with emergency plant operations and lets firefighters learn their way around the plant.

Safety, community involvement and making the power that runs the state of Texas are the pillars of the local plant, officials said.

“We’re proud to be part of the community and good corporate sponsors of the community,” Schindler said.

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