Waukegan Generating Station – Emissions Trend

Waukegan, IL · 2019–2022 · Parent: Nrg Energy Inc

This page assembles 4 consecutive years of EPA Toxics Release Inventory Form R filings for Waukegan Generating Station, spanning 2019–2022. Each annual total aggregates on-site air emissions, surface-water discharges, land disposal, and off-site transfers reported by the facility under EPCRA Section 313, which requires disclosure whenever a listed chemical is manufactured, processed, or otherwise used above threshold quantities.

Reported releases opened at 4.0K in 2019 and closed at 1.1K in 2022 – a decrease of 72.7% over the window. The chart below stacks the four TRI release media (air, water, land, off-site) and overlays the yearly total. The top contributor by cumulative mass is Barium compounds (except for barium sulfate (CAS No. 7727-43-7)) at 536.5K, followed by Vanadium compounds at 8.5K.

Because TRI figures are estimated, not metered, year-over-year deltas can reflect methodology revisions, ownership changes, or shifts in what a facility classifies as reportable, not only physical emission changes. Treat the trajectory as a disclosure record, and cross-reference with the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) system for the fuller regulatory picture on this electric utilities facility.

Overall Trend
↓ Decreasing (-72.7%)
2019 Total
4.0K lbs
2022 Total
1.1K lbs

Total Releases by Category

Air
Water
Land
Offsite Transfer
066.7K133.5K200.2K266.9K333.6K 2019202020212022 Pounds Released

Year-over-Year Comparison

Year Total Chemicals YoY Change
2019 4.0K lbs 4 -
2020 333.6K lbs 3 +8299.5%
2021 217.0K lbs 7 -35.0%
2022 1.1K lbs 4 -99.5%

Top Chemicals by Year

Chemical 2019202020212022 Total
Barium compounds (except for barium sulfate (CAS No. 7727-43-7)) 3.9K 332.2K 199.5K 1.0K 536.5K
Vanadium compounds - - 8.5K - 8.5K
Copper compounds - - 4.5K - 4.5K
Hydrogen fluoride - - 3.5K - 3.5K
Lead compounds 83 1.4K 964 74 2.6K
Mercury And Mercury Compounds - 4 9 - 14
Mercury compounds 8 - - 4 12
Dioxin and dioxin-like compounds 0 - 0 0 1

About This Data

Trend data is sourced from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Facilities report annually. Release quantities are self-reported estimates. Year-over-year changes may reflect changes in production, pollution control measures, reporting methodology, or chemical thresholds.

A decrease in reported releases does not necessarily indicate improved environmental performance, as it may reflect production cutbacks, facility closures, or changes in reporting requirements. Similarly, increases may reflect expanded production rather than degraded environmental practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Waukegan Generating Station getting cleaner or dirtier?
Based on EPA TRI data from 2019–2022, Waukegan Generating Station's total toxic releases have decreased by approximately 73%.
What time period does this trend data cover?
This page shows 4 years of EPA Toxic Release Inventory data from 2019–2022. Release quantities are self-reported estimates filed annually by the facility.