Yankee Power Generation Facility

Rockland Capital shared initial findings from a third-party assessment with staff from the City of Centerville, Washington Township and Miami Township, offering the first look at proposed solutions that may help reduce sound coming from the plant. 

Rockland initiated the assessment in early April after increased plant operation led to reports of sound disturbances overnight and for long periods of time.  While the full report from SVI Bremco, an independent industrial service company for gas power plants, is still under internal review, Rockland shared that the report includes several recommendations, two of which are already in progress.  These solutions are expected to be completed by mid-July.

Preliminary Solutions:

• Sealing and securing exterior components: Rockland has started to seal and secure all external panels, access doors and expansion joints to minimize mechanical sound.

• Installation of sound blankets: Acoustic "sound blankets" are being installed around equipment to limit emissions to 85 decibels.  Some turbine readings had previously reached as high as 95 decibels.

In addition, Rockland is evaluation a third recommendation - replacing the plant's existing exhaust silencers with an upgraded bar-silencer design - for feasibility, Rockland expects to complete that evaluation by late July. 

Officials also confirmed that the plant has not operated since April 24, as other power generation facilities within the PJM Interconnection grid have come back online.  This has temporarily eased demand on the Yankee Street site.  That said, PJM Interconnection will likely require power from the Yankee Street plant in the coming months due to increased use of air conditioning, fans, etc.

Although the facility is located just in Washington Township, its impact on residents has prompted an ongoing response from Centerville, Washington Township, and Miami Township.

The jurisdictions plan to continue meeting with Rockland and regional partners as more data and recommendations become available.

Since late March and early April 2025, Washington Township has been made aware of growing noise concerns related to the power generation facility at 9975 Yankee Street. Residents from both the City of Centerville and unincorporated areas of the Township, as well as Miami Township, have reported excessive noise and vibrations affecting their homes. Key concerns include increased frequency and duration of facility operations, loud turbine noise disrupting peace, and the negative impact of ongoing noise and vibration on health and quality of life.

In response, Washington Township has taken these concerns seriously and has engaged with the City of Centerville, Miami Township, and representatives from Rockland Capital and NAES, the facility operator, to address these issues and explore both immediate and long-term noise mitigation strategies.

The power plant is in unincorporated Washington Township, at 9975 Yankee Street. The plant is unmanned and is operated out of a larger plant located in Moraine.

Since late March and early April 2025, Washington Township has been made aware of growing noise concerns related to the power generation facility at 9975 Yankee Street. Residents from both the City of Centerville and unincorporated areas of the Township, as well as Miami Township, have reported excessive noise and vibrations affecting their homes. Key concerns include increased frequency and duration of facility operations, loud turbine noise disrupting peace, and the negative impact of ongoing noise and vibration on health and quality of life.

In response, Washington Township has taken these concerns seriously and has engaged with the City of Centerville, Miami Township, and representatives from Rockland Capital and NAES, the facility operator, to address these issues and explore both immediate and long-term noise mitigation strategies.

Rockland Capital, a private energy investment firm based in The Woodlands, Texas, owns and operates the Yankee Street Power Facility, which it purchased in 2018. The facility includes seven turbines, originally installed between 1968 and 1970, and generates up to 124 megawatts of electricity -- enough to power approximately 124,000 homes. Rockland Capital specializes in acquiring and improving energy infrastructure across North America and Europe and operates within the PJM Interconnection grid. PJM Interconnection is a nonprofit organization that manages the flow of electricity and oversees the wholesale energy market for over 65 million people across 13 states and the District of Columbia. Acting as the "air-traffic controller" for the energy grid, PJM ensures reliable electricity delivery without owning power plants, and it directs facilities like Yankee Street during periods of high demand.

1968-1970: Original construction and installation of 7 turbines

2018: Site purchased by Rockland Capital

2021: Trees removed for line clearing; 10-foot acoustic fence was installed along the northern boundary

2023: Fewer turbine starts occurred due to fuel limitations

2025: Recent 13- and 19-hour operation periods have raised community concerns

In 2024, plant owner Rockland Capital says the Yankee Street plant had 285 “starts” compared to 105 “starts” in 2019. Rockland representatives indicate that a reduction on coal reliance, the increases of renewable power generation and the recent outages of generation have increased the electric supply need of smaller dispatchable plants. Plants like the one on Yankee Street are key to maintaining the PJM system’s reliability. Rockland Capital believes that when the current generation outages are completed the plant will return to normal peaking operations.

There have been no recent physical modifications to the turbines at the Yankee Street Facility. However, Rockland Capital has explained that the increased frequency and duration of operations is due to directives from PJM Interconnection, one of several regional grid operators. Increased electricity demand across multiple states, especially during the time of year when other plants are undergoing maintenance or temporarily closed, has led to more frequent station startups and extended operational hours, sometimes running between 13 to 19 hours to meet regional energy needs.

Washington Township does not have regulatory authority over the plant, nor do the City of Centerville or Miami Township. However, all three jurisdictions are working closely with Rockland Capital and regional partners to advocate for noise mitigation and increased transparency.

In response to community concerns, Rockland Capital has taken several steps, including direct communication with residents and hiring a noise mitigation firm, which initially recommended a 60-foot sound wall -- an option ultimately deemed not cost-effective. As a next step, Rockland has commissioned a study with engineering firm SVI Bremco to explore alternative noise-reduction solutions, with results expected in the coming weeks. While the Township recognizes the regulatory limitations of the facility -- due to its grandfathered status and exemption from local zoning regulations -- it is actively exploring solutions with the operator. Washington Township remains committed to working with Rockland Capital to find effective solutions and minimize the facility’s impact on the community.