How Close Is the Nearest Power Plant to Your Home?
Whether you're buying a home, researching environmental risk, or simply curious, knowing how close you live to a power plant can be more important than you think. In the U.S., there are over 11,000 operational power plants, ranging from massive nuclear facilities to small natural gas peaker plants.
With power infrastructure scattered across urban, suburban, and rural areas, it’s surprisingly common to live within 5 miles of a major power plant—a factor that can influence everything from air quality to property value.
📍 Use Our Power Plant Proximity Map
🔎 Enter your address to find nearby power plants of any type:
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⚡ Why Proximity to Power Plants Matters
1. Health and Air Quality Risks
Living close to coal or gas plants can increase exposure to pollutants:
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A Harvard study (2022) found that people living within 10 miles of coal plants had 26% higher hospitalization rates for respiratory illness.
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Natural gas plants emit nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, affecting children and the elderly most.
2. Property Values
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Homes within 2 miles of a power plant can sell for 4–7% less, especially near fossil fuel plants, according to a Zillow housing study.
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Renewable energy plants (like solar farms) have less impact, but visual aesthetics still play a role.
3. Emergency Risk Zones
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Nuclear facilities and some gas plants have evacuation zones ranging from 10 to 50 miles.
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Knowing your proximity can help with disaster planning and insurance choices.
🏠 Who Should Check This Map?
✔️ Homebuyers
Avoid future surprises by checking your home's location relative to power facilities.
✔️ Environmental Advocates
Track the concentration of fossil fuel infrastructure in frontline communities.
✔️ Researchers & Journalists
Access a visual tool to enhance reports, papers, or investigations.
🔧 What Types of Plants Are Mapped?
We’ve categorized all U.S. power plants by:
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Fuel Type: Nuclear, Coal, Natural Gas, Oil, Solar, Wind, Hydro, Geothermal
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Output Size: Large baseload vs. small peakers
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Status: Operational, under construction, decommissioned
💡 Action Items
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Search Your Address on the interactive map to view nearby plants.
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Share the Map Tool with friends, real estate agents, or climate advocates.
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Report Errors or Updates if you notice inaccurate data.
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📌 Final Thought
Power plants are a critical part of our infrastructure—but they also shape our local environments. Knowing how close you live to one helps you make more informed decisions about your health, investments, and safety.