FPL Continues Releasing Air Pollution in Indiantown

Despite shutting down coal plant, natural gas facility still emits toxic pollutants

Mar. 22, 2026 at 9:03am

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Florida Power & Light's natural gas-fired power plant in Indiantown, Florida has continued to release significant amounts of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and ammonia into the air over the past decade, even after the company demolished its nearby coal-fired plant in 2021 and replaced it with a solar energy center.

Why it matters

The emissions from FPL's natural gas plant can contribute to respiratory issues, smog formation, and harmful algal blooms in coastal waters, raising concerns about the plant's ongoing environmental impact on the local community despite the shift to cleaner solar power.

The details

According to a TCPalm analysis, the Indiantown plant produced over 47 million tons of carbon dioxide, 10,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, and 198 tons of ammonia in the past 10 years. While FPL says the ammonia is used to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, these pollutants can still have negative effects on air and water quality in the region.

  • Over the past decade, from 2016 to 2026
  • In 2017, FPL bought and shut down the nearby coal-powered Indiantown Cogeneration Plant
  • In 2021, FPL demolished the coal plant and replaced it with a solar energy center

The players

Florida Power & Light (FPL)

The largest electric utility in Florida, which operates the natural gas-fired power plant in Indiantown that continues to release toxic air pollution.

Indiantown Cogeneration Plant

A coal-powered plant that FPL bought in 2017 and then shut down, leading to an 83% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions that year.

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What they’re saying

“Ammonia is used in emissions-control systems to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from combustion turbines, which helps improve overall air quality.”

— Lina Young, FPL Spokesperson

What’s next

FPL has not announced any specific plans to further reduce emissions from its Indiantown natural gas plant, though the company's shift to solar power at the site suggests it may explore additional ways to lower the facility's environmental impact.

The takeaway

While FPL has taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint by shutting down a coal plant, the continued release of toxic air pollutants from its natural gas facility in Indiantown highlights the ongoing environmental challenges facing the utility and the local community.