OUC & Our Environment

Clean air and water.
At OUC’s Curtis H. Stanton Energy Center, more than $200 million has been invested in state-of-the-art environmental protection equipment to safeguard the air, water and quality of life in Central Florida. The two units at Stanton meet or surpass all federal and state air quality control limits for air emissions. Stanton also conserves water by using treated wastewater form Orange County as cooling water. In addition, the plant protects water resources because it is a "zero discharge" power plant, releasing no water used at the plant into the ground or into natural bodies of water.

Down to earth.
OUC participates in Orange County’s Earth Day celebration where children from elementary and middle schools learn about water and soil conservation, erosion and other environmental concerns.

Protecting wildlife.
More than two-thirds of the five-square-mile Stanton Energy Center consists of undeveloped, protected wildlife refuge and habitat for the rare red-cockaded woodpecker, and endangered species. OUC’s extensive forest management program has also made this area a "way station" and habitat for a variety of wildlife such as eagles, deer, red foxes, alligators, gopher tortoises, sandhill cranes and red-wing blackbirds.

TREEmendous.
Recognized as a Tree Line USA utility, OUC was honored for demonstrating practices and educational programs that protect and enhance urban forests. The award was sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters.